Dexamethasone therapy for bronchopulmonary dysplasia: improved respiratory mechanics without adrenal suppression.

The purpose of the present study was to examine the pattern of changes in respiratory system mechanics induced by dexamethasone (Dex) in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and to determine whether dosages that produce these changes induce adrenal suppression. We examined mechanics in seven ventilator-dependent premature infants (age, 33 +/- 4.8 days) with BPD, before and daily during Dex therapy. Dex (0.5 mg/kg/day) was given intravenously for 7 days unless complications necessitated early termination. Respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and compliance (Crs) were measured by the passive expiratory flow-volume technique during the course of dexamethasone therapy or until extubation. Adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) stimulation tests were done at baseline and following Dex therapy to evaluate adrenal function. Dex therapy caused a 77 +/- 18% increase in Crs (from 0.97 +/- 0.09 SEM mL/cmH2O to 1.6 +/- 0.16 mL/cmH2O; P less than 0.025) and a 33 +/- 5% decrease in Rrs (from 0.20 +/- 0.02 cmH2O/mL/s to 0.14 +/- 0.01 cmH2O/mL/s; P less than 0.01). Concurrently, ventilator rate, mean airway pressure, and FIO2 all decreased significantly (P less than 0.025). Extubation occurred later in infants with the lowest Crs and highest Rrs at baseline. At extubation, all Crs values were greater than 1.33 mL/cmH2O and Rrs values were less than 0.15 cmH2O/mL/s. Systolic blood pressure increased from 61 +/- 6.3 mmHg to 84 +/- 17 mmHg, 72-96 h after the start of Dex (P less than 0.025). There were no episodes of culture-positive sepsis. Neither basal nor ACTH-stimulated levels of cortisol were suppressed as a result of Dex therapy (P greater than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Bronchodilator response to ipratropium bromide in infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Although the muscarinic antagonist Ipratropium bromide is used clinically as a bronchodilator in infants ventilated because of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), no studies have compared the response or efficacy of different dosages or its effectiveness in combination with beta-adrenergic agonists. We measured the response of respiratory system mechanics in 10 ventilated infants (25 +/- 2 days of age) to 75, 125, and 175 micrograms ipratropium bromide (IB), 125 micrograms IB plus 0.04 mg salbutamol (SAL), 175 micrograms IB plus 0.04 mg SAL, and saline vehicle, delivered via nebulizer into the ventilator circuit. Respiratory system resistance (Rrs) and compliance (Crs) were measured by the passive flow-volume technique. Rrs and Crs were measured before and at 1 to 2 h and at 4 h after delivery of the five drug dosages or saline. All six studies were completed within a 72-h period. Saline had no significant effect on mechanics. Significant responses to ipratropium alone were seen only after 175 micrograms where Rrs decreased 20 +/- 3% (SEM) (p less than 0.05) at 1 to 2 h and 16 +/- 5% (p less than 0.05) at 4 h. After 125 micrograms IB + SAL and 175 micrograms IB + SAL, Rrs was significantly decreased both at 1 to 2 h and at 4 h, and Crs was significantly increased 20 +/- 6% and 20 +/- 4%, respectively, at 1 to 2 h. The greatest decrease in Rrs (26 +/- 6%) was seen 1 to 2 h after 175 micrograms IB + salbutamol.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)