Simon Carley wrote:
>How many asthmatics are we going to use, steroids, B2 agonists, atrovent,
aminophylline, halothane, lignocaine, ketamine, magnesium and heliox in all
at the same time!
The Cochrane review of aminophylline has been published now- showed no
benefit and significant side effects. Polypharmacy with arrythmogenic
agents? Magnesium has good evidence in the Cochrane review (albeit in a
different group of patients and with the end point of admission or
discharge), but seems pretty safe. I certainly wouldn't call it
'unconventional' any more. If you're intubating the patient, I was brought
up to believe that paralysis helps (seems reasonable, by increasing chest
wall conpliance- not seen any studies, though- is this still common
practice?)
Matt Dunn
|