paralysis is still used but for the minimum length of time possible, ie
<24 hours. The use of paralysis and steroids is associated with a
profound myopathy which takes a long time to recover from. Many ICUs
try to avoid paralysis once the patient is on ICU, if possible.
Francis Andrews
On Mon, 11 Dec 2000, Dunn Matthew Dr. ACCIDENT & EMERGENCY - SwarkHosp-TR wrote:
>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
>
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