We investigated the efficacy and side effects of "low-dose
isoproterenol continuous nebulization" for childhood
status asthmaticus, and compared them with those of "high-dose method". "Low-dose" is defined as 10 ml or less of 0.5% dl-
isoproterenol solution diluted in 500 ml of
normal saline. Subjects were 23 children who were hospitalized and underwent the nebulization
therapy. The period of continuous nebulization was 26.3 +/- 12.5 hours. The Wood's clinical score clearly decreased in 22 cases, the average score changing from 7.3 +/- 1.2 to 2.8 +/- 1.5. Heart rate was not elevated significantly during the nebulization period, and decreased gradually (142 +/- 22/min at the start of the nebulization, 145 +/- 22/min at 1 hour, and 134 +/- 23/min at 3 hours, and 103 +/- 13/min at the cessation of the nebulization). Serum GOT, LDH, CPK, and
potassium were decreased after the nebulization compared with the values before the treatment, the changes of the last 2 items being statistically significant. Two subjects who had vomited before the nebulization
therapy complained
nausea during the procedure, and one experienced transient finger
tremor. We conclude that "low-dose
isoproterenol continuous nebulization" is an effective and safe method for childhood
status asthmaticus. We expect that this method will be familiar to all clinicians.