Management of acute asthma.
Current management of acute asthma has been defined in clinical practice guidelines developed from systematic reviews and expert opinion. Initial treatment with inhaled high-dose beta-agonists and anticholinergics is recommended for severe exacerbations. Most patients treated in emergency departments should receive systemic corticosteroids. Adjunctive therapy for those not improving is less well-defined, but options include intravenous magnesium sulfate and heliox-driven nebulized beta-agonists. Poor adherence to preventive therapies and infrequent primary care follow-up are well documented among children and adolescents treated in emergency departments. These factors may contribute to disparities in outcomes for minority populations and are important considerations during acute care visits.
Nelson
Kyle A
KA
The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Department of Pediatrics, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA. nelsonk@email.chop.edu
Zorc
Joseph J
JJ
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D001993:Bronchodilator Agents