Review article

Acute Asthma Management in Emergency Room

Zinka Matković ; KB Dubrava
Nevenka Piskač-Živković ; KB Dubrava

Abstract

Asthma exacerbation is characterised by worsening of asthma symptoms, i.e. dyspnoea, cough, wheezing and/or chest tightness, which result from a progressive airway obstruction and expiratory airflow limitation. While mild exacerbations are usually successfully treated in outpatient settings, moderate and severe exacerbations require management in the emergency department, sometimes with subsequent hospital admission. The approach to the asthma patient in the emergency room includes rapid assessment of exacerbation severity based on physical findings, pulmonary function parameters (oxygen saturation, arterial blood gases analysis) and severity of airflow limitation (initial and repeated measurement of PEF or FEV1). The treatment of acute asthma includes the repeated administration of rapid-acting inhaled bronchodilators, the early administration of systemic glucocorticoids, and oxygen supplementation. The aim of the emergency management is to resolve or at least alleviate airflow obstruction and hypoxemia as quickly as possible, and to recognise without delay refractory cases requiring hospital admission or even intensive care unit treatment.

Keywords

acute asthma; asthma exacerbation; emergency room; bronchodilators; glucocorticoids; inhaled ß2-agonists

Hrčak ID:

81076

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/81076

Publication date:

19.12.2011.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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