Helmet-delivered continuous positive airway pressure with heliox in respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to check the feasibility and efficacy of helmet-delivered heliox-continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in infants with bronchiolitis.


METHODS
Children <3 months of age diagnosed with respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis and recurrent apnoeas or a venous PCO(2) >55 mmHg or a transcutaneous oxygen saturation <92% in room air were eligible for inclusion in the study. CPAP was delivered by a noninvasive ventilator connected to a heliox port. The interface was a helmet.


RESULTS
Eight consecutive infants fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Apnoeas were present in six children before respiratory support was started; they disappeared in five of them. Two infants had to be changed to pressure support noninvasive ventilation, and one of them required intubation. No side effects were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose a relatively new device to deliver heliox-CPAP in small infants with bronchiolitis. Although this is just a descriptive study with a short sample, this system seems to be feasible and effective.
Mayordomo-Colunga
J
J
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. jmcolunga@hotmail.com
Medina
A
A
Rey
C
C
Concha
A
A
Los Arcos
M
M
Menéndez
S
S
D001049:Apnea / Q000628:therapy; D001988:Bronchiolitis / Q000628:therapy*; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006371:Helium; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006371:Helium; C038949:heliox; D010100:Oxygen