STATUS ASTHMATICUS

Abstract

The status asthmaticus is a life-threatening situation which could be avoided in some patients by knowing the triggering factors and by using an adequate long-term therapy. Treatment in a clinic or intensive care unit is necessary if airway obstruction is resistent to any therapy and cardiac frequency exceeds 140/min. The most important criterion in the clinical course is the arterial pCO2. Values over 45 Torr show a maximum obstruction and exhaustion. Intubation should be prepared. Essential for the treatment, besides oxygen, are the observation of the liquids and electrolytes balance, beta-adrenergic drugs for inhalation or via the subcutaneous route, and theophylline infused with calculation of the individual maintenance-dose in measuring the serum-concentration and high corticosteroid-dose. Under these circumstances the mortality is low and mechanical ventilation only seldom necessary.