Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2012;24(3):278-283
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2012000300012
OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed acute respiratory failure caused by acute pulmonary edema, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, that was treated with non-invasive mechanical ventilation to identify the factors that are associated with the success or failure non-invasive mechanical ventilation in urgent and emergency service. METHODS: This study was a prospective, descriptive and analytical study. We included patients of both genders aged >18 years who used non-invasive mechanical ventilation due to acute respiratory failure that was secondary to acute pulmonary edema or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation. Patients with acute respiratory failure that was secondary to pathologies other than acute pulmonary edema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or who presented with contraindications for the technique were excluded. Expiratory pressures between 5 and 8 cmH2O and inspiratory pressures between 10 and 12 cmH2O were used. Supplemental oxygen maintained peripheral oxygen saturation at >90%. The primary outcome was endotracheal intubation. RESULTS: A total of 152 patients were included. The median non-invasive mechanical ventilation time was 6 hours (range 1 - 32 hours) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients (n=60) and 5 hours (range 2 - 32 hours) for acute pulmonary edema patients (n=92). Most (75.7%) patients progressed successfully. However, reduced APACHE II scores and lower peripheral oxygen saturation were observed. These results were statistically significant in patients who progressed to intubation (p<0.001). BiPAP (Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure portable ventilator), as continuous positive airway pressure use increased the probability of endotracheal intubation 2.3 times (p=0.032). Patients with acute pulmonary edema and elevated GCS scores also increased the probability of success. CONCLUSION: Respiratory frequency >25 rpm, higher APACHE II scores, BiPAP use and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis were associated with endotracheal intubation. Higher GCS and SpO2 values were associated with NIV success. Non-invasive mechanical ventilation can be used in emergency services in acute respiratory failure cases caused by acute pulmonary edema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation, but patients with variables related to a higher percentage of endotracheal intubation should be specially monitored.
Abstract
Rev Bras Ter Intensiva. 2012;24(1):86-90
DOI 10.1590/S0103-507X2012000100013
Severe acute asthma is a medical emergency that must be quickly diagnosed and treated. Initial treatment includes a bronchodilator agent and systemic corticosteroids. In severe cases with poor response to the standard treatment, intravenous magnesium sulfate is a therapeutic option. This article aimed a literature review on the use of intravenous magnesium sulfate in the emergency room treatment of children with acute asthma. The treatment parameters of effectiveness, indication, dosage, adverse effects and contraindications were assessed. A narrative review of the literature based on a search of the Medline and Lilacs databases and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews for articles published between 2000 and 2010 was conducted. The keywords used included the following: asthma, children, emergency and magnesium sulfate. Eight controlled clinical trials, three meta-analyses, one retrospective study, eight review articles and one cross-sectional study were included. A total of 21 articles were analyzed. Several authors reported that intravenous magnesium was effective in the treatment of acute asthma in children. Adverse effects were rare. The use of intravenous magnesium sulfate was indicated for patients with moderate to severe acute asthma not responding to initial treatment with a bronchodilator agent and systemic corticosteroids. Few contraindications were reported but included kidney failure and atrioventricular block. Reports of adverse drug interactions with magnesium were rare. Although reported as safe, intravenous magnesium is infrequently used in children with acute asthma. Most often it is used in severe, progressed cases to prevent respiratory failure and/or admission to the intensive care unit. Intravenous magnesium was concluded to be effective and safe in children with severe acute asthma, although its use in the emergency room is still limited.