Mechanical Ventilation in Status Asthmaticus Part 2 with Dr. Mekela Whyte-Nesfield
Feb 20, 2023
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Dr. Mekela Whyte-Nesfield, a Critical Care attending at Children’s National Hospital, discusses strategies for managing mechanical ventilation in patients with asthma. Topics covered include evaluation and adjustment of plateau pressure and peak pressure settings, benefits and risks of paralyzing intubated asthmatic patients, criteria for considering ECMO, and considerations for mechanical ventilation and extubation in status asthmaticus.
Monitoring the narrowing gap between plateau pressure and peak pressure can indicate improvement in bronchospasm in intubated asthma patients, while comparing end-tidal CO2 levels with blood gas results helps assess changes in dead space ratio.
Intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) can be measured through an end-expiratory hold, and adjusting PEEP levels based on intrinsic PEEP measurements and observing changes in gas exchange can guide ventilation management in asthmatic patients.
Deep dives
Mechanical Ventilation in Asthma: Monitoring Bronchospasm Improvement
When monitoring a patient who has been intubated for asthma, narrowing of the gap between plateau pressure and peak pressure indicates improvement in bronchospasm. Additionally, checking end-tidal CO2 levels and comparing them with blood gas results can help assess any changes in dead space ratio. These indicators can provide insights into whether the intervention is progressing positively or if further intervention is required.
Mechanical Ventilation in Asthma: Intrinsic PEEP and Adjusting Settings
To measure intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), an end-expiratory hold is necessary. While some practitioners may avoid using additional PEEP in asthmatic patients, others advocate for its use to provide distending pressure and help open up airways. Adjusting PEEP levels based on intrinsic PEEP measurements and observing changes in gas exchange can guide the management of ventilation settings.
Mechanical Ventilation in Asthma: Considerations for Paralyzing the Patient
Paralyzing an intubated asthmatic patient is often recommended to ensure complete control over their breathing pattern and prevent resistance against the ventilator. This approach helps mitigate the risk of barotrauma and further complications. By paralyzing the patient, the medical team can synchronize the patient's respiratory efforts with the ventilator, easing exhalation and improving overall ventilation.
Dr. Whyte-Nesfield is a Critical Care attending at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, DC. She completed her medical degree in her home country of Grenada at St. George’s University, and her fellowship in Pediatric Critical Care at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, PA. Mekela’s research interest is the role of parent and child traumatic stress management in improving long term outcomes of children in the PICU; she ran a multi-center prevalence study during her fellowship. She is also interested in advanced ventilator modes and educating the next generation of intensivists about pulmonary physiology.
Objectives: After listening to this episode, listeners should be able to:
Define indications for intubation in a patient with asthma.
Review adjunct therapies, including high-dose steroids, mag, epi, terbutaline, isoproterenol, aminophylline, isoflurane, and manual decompression of the chest.
Identify the physiologic and logistic rationale supporting each mode of mechanical ventilation in asthma (PRVC vs PCPS).
Identify the benefits and risks of paralyzing an intubated asthmatic.
Discuss the relationshiop between static compliance, dynamic compliance, and reversible bronchoconstriction.
Describe the complications of mechanical ventilation in asthma, including indications for ECMO.
References:
Manual external chest compression reverses respiratory failure in children with severe air trapping. Pediatric Pulmonology, 56(12), 3887–3890. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppul.25689
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Thank you for listening to this episode of PedsCrit. Please remember that all content during this episode is intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. It should not be used as medical advice. The views expressed during this episode by hosts and our guests are their own and do not reflect the official position of their institutions. If you have any comments, suggestions, or feedback-you can email us at pedscritpodcast@gmail.com. Check out http://www.pedscrit.comfor detailed show notes. And visit @critpeds on twitter and @pedscrit on instagram for real time show updates.
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