Intravenous isoproterenol in the treatment of respiratory failure in childhood status asthmaticus.

Abstract

Nineteen children in status asthmaticus and respiratory failwre were treated with a continzcows infusion of isoproterenol in doses ranging from 0.08 to 1.7 cg per kilogram per m&n&e. In a mean time interval of 1.8 hours there was a 10 per cent or greater redudion in arterial Pcq. In 1O.Z how-s the arterial PCO, was 48 mm. Hg or less. The inficsion could be discontinued in a mean time of 45.0 hours. Dosage was gradually decreased after the late response occurred. One child failed to respond to treatment and required mechanical ventilation. Another child experiencecl ventricular tachycardia at a dose of 03 pg per kilogram per minzlte, which s&sided promptly when the infkon wccs discontinued. There was no evidence of myocardial damage.