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Albuterol Nebulized With Heliox Better In Acute Asthma Exacerbation

Using albuterol nebulized with heliox during acute asthma exacerbations leads to more significant improvement in spirometry among asthmatic patients.

Researchers from the University of Chicago in Illinois studied the spirometric effects of albuterol nebulized with heliox during emergency room visits by 45 patients with asthma. They suggest the low-density gas likely improves albuterol deposition in the distal airways.

Twenty-three patients were randomised to albuterol nebulized with heliox and 22 patients to albuterol nebulized with oxygen. At baseline, the researchers note, there were no differences between the two groups in demographics, outpatient asthma medications, vital signs, oxygen saturation and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁).

Participants received three consecutive albuterol treatments.

Heliox participants had significantly higher heart rate after albuterol nebulization. After the first albuterol treatment, median change in FEV₁ was 32.4 percent in the heliox group and 14.6 percent in the controls. After the second treatment, it was 51.5 percent in the heliox group and 22.7 percent in the controls.

After the final treatment, median change in FEV₁ was 65.1 percent in the heliox group and 26.6 percent in the controls.
American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2002; 165: 1317-1321. "The Utility of Albuterol Nebulized with Heliox during Acute Asthma Exacerbations"

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