ISSN:
1432-1238
Keywords:
Status asthmaticus
;
Artificial respiration
;
Magnesium sulfate
;
Bronchodilator agents
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract In severe status asthmaticus basic medical treatment often fails to improve the patient's condition. Mechanical ventilation in this situation is associated with a high incidence of serious complications. After the bronchodilating effect of moderate-dose magnesium sulfate in asthmatic patients had been demonstrated in previous studies we treated five mechanically ventilated patients with refractory status asthmaticus successfully with high dosages of MgSO4 IV (10–20 g within 1 h depending on the bronchodilating effect). MgSO4 resulted in a significant decrease of peak airway pressure (43.0±6.8 to 32.0±8.0 cmH2O) and inspiratory flow resistance (22.7±7.0 to 11.9±6.0 cmH2O·l−1·s−1) within 1 h. The resulting serum magnesium levels after one hour were up to threefold of the normal serum levels. Although a main-tainance dose of 0.4 g/h had been administered continuously during the following 24 h serum magnesium decreased towards normal values within this time. The only relevant side-effect was a mild to moderate arterial hypotension in two of the five patients during the high dose administration period of MgSO4 which responded readily to dopamine treatment.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01711089
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