Document Detail


Predicting response to therapy in acute asthma.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19077703     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To analyze the prediction of response of therapy into the context of acute adult asthma assessment in the emergency department (ED) setting. RECENT FINDINGS: Close monitoring of the patient's condition at presentation (static assessment) and response to treatment (dynamic assessment), including serial measurements of lung function, is an essential part of the acute asthma care in the ED. The severity of airflow obstruction cannot be accurately judged by patient's symptoms and physical examination alone. Accordingly, it is very important to use an objective measure of airway obstruction (spirometry or peak flow meter). Although spirometry can be performed in acutely ill ED asthmatics, measurement of peak expiratory flow, with values expressed as predicted normal values, represents an alternative if spirometry is not available. SUMMARY: Failure of initial therapy to improve expiratory flow predicts a more severe course and need for hospitalization. Although several score systems have been developed, different factors limit their applicability in the ED setting. Thus, peak expiratory flow rate measures at 15-60 min of treatment, joined with continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation may be the best ways to assess patients with acute asthma.
Authors:
Gustavo J Rodrigo
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Review    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Current opinion in pulmonary medicine     Volume:  15     ISSN:  1531-6971     ISO Abbreviation:  Curr Opin Pulm Med     Publication Date:  2009 Jan 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2008-12-16     Completed Date:  2009-02-27     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9503765     Medline TA:  Curr Opin Pulm Med     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  35-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Departamento de Emergencia, Hospital Central de las Fuerzas Armadas, Montevideo, Uruguay. gurodrig@adinet.com.uy
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Acute Disease
Adult
Anti-Asthmatic Agents / therapeutic use*
Asthma / drug therapy*,  physiopathology
Emergency Service, Hospital*
Forced Expiratory Volume / physiology
Humans
Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / physiology
Predictive Value of Tests
Treatment Outcome
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Anti-Asthmatic Agents

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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