Intravenous isoproterenol in the management of respiratory failure in childhood status asthmaticus

Abstract Nineteen children in status asthmaticus and respiratory failure were treated with a continuous infusion of isoproterenol in doses ranging from 0.08 to 2.7 μg per kilogram per minute. In a mean time interval of 1.8 hours there was a 10 per cent or greater reduction in arterial P co 2 . In 10.2 hours the arterial P co 2 was 48 mm. Hg or less. The infusion could be discontinued in a mean time of 45.0 hours. Dosage was gradually decreased after the late response occurred. One child failed to respond to treatment and required mechanical ventilation. Another child experienced ventricular tachycardia at a dose of 0.2 μg per kilogram per minute, which subsided promptly when the infusion was discontinued. There was no evidence of myocardial damage.