Protective effect of Achyranthes aspera against compound 48/80, histamine and ovalbumin-induced allergic disorders in murine model.

BACKGROUND: Achyranthes aspera L. (family Amaranthaceae) is a plant species valued in Ayurveda for the treatment of respiratory ailments. Scientific validation of its antiallergic potential was aimed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three extracts of A. aspera [aqueous (AaAq), hydroalcoholic (AaHA), ethanolic (AaEt)] were evaluated for their potency against C48/80-induced anaphylaxis in mice at 200 mg/kg BW oral dose. The effective dose of the most potent extract was determined through its effect on C48/80-induced anaphylaxis, and was further analyzed through its effect on mast cell degranulation, histamine-induced bronchospasm and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma in a murine model. Among the three extracts, AaAq was found to be most potent at 200 mg/kg BW. AaAq 400 (400 mg/kg BW) was found to be the most effective dose in terms of inhibition of mortality and histamine level. AaAq 400 prevented the peritoneal and mesenteric mast cells from undergoing morphological changes due to degranulation induced by C48/80. Further, AaAq 400 delayed pre-convulsive time in histamine-induced bronchospasm. In the OVA-induced asthma model, AaAq 400 inhibited the level of inflammatory cell count in blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peritoneal fluid of mice. The Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13), TGF-ß and OVA-specific IgE were also reduced as evaluated by ELISA. Also, significant reduction in IL-5 (an eosinophilia indicator) transcript abundance and lung inflammatory score was observed. AaAq was safe up to 4000 mg/kg BW. CONCLUSIONS: Thus AaAq 400 possesses significant antiallergic potential and acts via attenuation of C48/80-induced anaphylaxis and inhibition of mast cell degranulation. It reduces pre-convulsive dyspnea in histamine-induced bronchospasm and Th2 cytokines in asthmatic mice.

Peri-operative cardiac arrest due to suspected anaphylaxis as reported to the 7th National Audit Project of the Royal College of Anaesthetists.

The 7th National Audit Project (NAP7) of the Royal College of Anaesthetists studied peri-operative cardiac arrest. Among 59 cases reported as possible anaphylaxis, 33 (56%) were judged to be so by the review panel with high or moderate confidence. Causes in excluded cases included: isolated severe hypotension; bronchospasm; and oesophageal intubation. Severe bronchospasm leading to cardiac arrest was uncommon, but notably in one case led to a reported flat capnograph. In the baseline survey, anaesthetists estimated anaphylaxis as the cause of 10% of cases of peri-operative cardiac arrests and to be among the four most common causes. In a year-long registry of peri-operative cardiac arrest, suspected anaphylaxis was the seventh most common cause accounting for 4% of reports. Initial management was most often with low-dose intravenous adrenaline, and this was without complications. Both the NAP7 baseline survey and case registry provided evidence of reluctance to starting chest compressions when systolic blood pressure had fallen to below 50 mmHg and occasionally even when it was unrecordable. All 33 patients were resuscitated successfully but one patient later died. The one death occurred in a relatively young patient in whom chest compressions were delayed. Overall, peri-operative anaphylaxis leading to cardiac arrest occurred with a similar frequency and patterns of presentation, location, initial rhythm and suspected triggers in NAP7 as in the 6th National Audit Project (NAP6). Outcomes in NAP7 were generally better than for equivalent cases in NAP6.

Laryngeal Mask Airway as an Appropriate Option in Pediatric Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the safety and effectiveness of laryngeal mask airway (LMA) use in pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. METHODS: Studies were searched on the PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. Primary outcomes were major perioperative respiratory adverse events (PRAEs), namely laryngospasm, bronchospasm, desaturation, and aspiration. Secondary outcomes were minor PRAEs, anesthesia time, and recovery time. A meta-analysis was performed to calculate risk ratios (RR), weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) by using random effects models. RESULTS: In total, 5 RCTs comprising 402 patients were included. Regarding major PRAEs, laryngospasm (RR: 0.43, 95 % CI: 0.12 to 1.47; p = 0.18), bronchospasm, and aspiration all demonstrated no difference between the laryngeal and endotracheal groups. Desaturation exhibited a trend, but this trend was not sufficiently supported with statistical evidence (p = 0.09). For minor PRAEs, fewer patients experienced incidence of cough after laryngeal mask use (RR: 0.27, 95 % CI: 0.11 to 0.67; p = 0.005). Other PRAE, namely hoarseness (p = 0.06), sore throat (RR: 1.88, 95 % CI: 0.76 to 4.66; p = 0.18), and stridor, did not differ between the 2 groups. Additionally, both anesthesia time (WMD: -6.88 min, 95 % CI: -11.88 to -1.89; p < 0.00001) and recovery time (WMD: -4.85 min, 95 % CI: -6.51 to -3.19; p < 0.00001) were shortened in the LMA group. CONCLUSION: LMA used in pediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair demonstrated no greater safety risks than endotracheal tube intubation did. Thus, anesthesiologists may shift from conventional endotracheal tube use to LMA use. Moreover, anesthesia and recovery times were shortened in the LMA group, which resulted in more efficient use of the operating room. Because of these benefits, LMA could be an appropriate option for pediatric patients undergoing laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Treatment Study, LEVEL III.

Emergency Medical Services Management of Bronchospasm in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Analysis and Nationwide Quality Assessment.

Background/Objective: Bronchospasm, caused by asthma and other related conditions, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality commonly managed by emergency medical services (EMS). We aimed to evaluate the quality of prehospital management of bronchospasm by EMS in the US.Methods: The National EMS Information System Public Release Research dataset, a nationwide convenience sample of prehospital patient care report data from 2018 to 2019, was used to capture 9-1-1 activations where patients aged ≥2 years were treated and transported by EMS for suspected bronchospasm. First, we described the extent to which EMS care met eight quality measures identified from available statewide EMS protocols, existing quality measures, and national guidelines. Second, we quantified the extent of risk-standardized agency-level variation in administration of inhaled beta agonists and systemic corticosteroids using logistic regression models, accounting for patient characteristics, severity, and clustering by agencies. Third, we compared rates of completed prehospital interventions between pediatric (age <18 years) versus adult patients using two-sample t-tests.Results: A total of 1,336,988 EMS encounters for suspected bronchospasm met inclusion criteria. Median age of patients was 66 years, with only 4% pediatric; 55% were female. Advanced life support (ALS) units managed 94% of suspected bronchospasm. Respiratory rate (98%) and pulse oximetry (96%) were documented in nearly all cases. Supplemental oxygen was administered to hypoxic patients by 65% of basic life support (BLS) and 73% of ALS units. BLS administered inhaled beta-agonist therapy less than half the time (48%), compared to 77% by ALS. ALS administered inhaled anticholinergic therapy in 38% of cases, and systemic corticosteroids in 19% of cases. Pediatric patients were significantly less likely to receive supplemental oxygen when hypoxic, inhaled beta-agonists, inhaled anticholinergics, or systemic corticosteroids.Conclusions: We found important gaps in recent EMS practice for prehospital care of suspected bronchospasm. We highlight three targets for improvement: inhaled beta-agonist administration by BLS, systemic corticosteroid administration by ALS, and increased interventions for pediatric patients. These findings indicate important areas for research, protocol modification, and quality improvement efforts to improve EMS management of bronchospasm.

[Clinical effect of Shenfu injection combined with glucocorticoid on patients with acute left heart failure complicated with bronchospasm].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of Shenfu injection combined with glucocorticoid in the treatment of acute left heart failure complicated with bronchospasm. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted.Ninety patients with acute left heart failure complicated with bronchospasm admitted to Huai'an Second People's Hospital from January 2021 to July 2022 were selected and divided into conventional treatment group, hormone therapy group and combined treatment group according to random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. All patients in the 3 groups received basic Western medicine treatment. On this basis, the conventional treatment group was given 0.25-0.50 g aminophylline injection plus 5% glucose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection (diabetes patients) 100 mL slow intravenous infusion, 1-2 times a day. In the hormone treatment group, 1 mg of budesonide suspension for inhalation was diluted to 2 mL by 0.9% sodium chloride injection, twice a day, and applied until 48 hours after the pulmonary wheezing disappeared. The combined treatment group was given glucocorticoid combined with Shenfu injection 80 mL plus 5% glucose injection or 0.9% sodium chloride injection (diabetes patients) 250 mL intravenously, once a day. All treated for 1 week. The general data, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome score, TCM syndrone efficacy index, acute left heart failure efficacy, bronchospasm efficacy, systolic blood pressure (SBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) level and safety of the 3 groups were compared. The patients were followed up for 6 months, and the mortality and re-hospitalization rate of the 3 groups were recorded. RESULTS: Among the 90 patients, a total of 83 patients completed the study, excluding the cases dropped due to death and other reasons. There were 29 cases in the combined treatment group, 25 cases in the hormone therapy group and 29 cases in the conventional treatment group. There were no significant differences in age, gender, course of disease, and previous history (history of diabetes, history of hypertension, history of hyperlipidemia) among the 3 groups. Therefore, they were comparable. The difference of TCM syndrome score before and after treatment, TCM syndrome efficacy index of combined treatment group and hormone therapy group were higher than those of conventional treatment group [difference of TCM syndrome score: 15.14±5.74, 13.24±5.75 vs. 10.62±5.87, TCM syndrome efficacy index: (67.84±14.31)%, (59.94±14.26)% vs. (48.92±16.74)%, all P < 0.05], and the difference of TCM syndrome score and TCM syndrome efficacy index of combined treatment group were higher than those of hormone treatment group (both P < 0.05). The total effective rate of acute left heart failure and bronchospasm in the combined treatment group was significantly higher than that in the conventional treatment group (total effective rate of acute left heart failure: 96.55% vs. 75.86%, total effective rate of bronchospasm: 93.10% vs. 65.52%, both P < 0.05). The difference of serum NT-proBNP before and after treatment in combination therapy group and hormone therapy group was significantly higher than that in conventional treatment group (ng/L: 7 922.86±5 220.31, 7 314.92±4 450.28 vs. 4 644.79±3 388.23, all P < 0.05), and the difference of serum NT-proBNP before and after treatment in the combined treatment group was significantly higher than that in the hormone treatment group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in SBP difference, MAP difference, mortality and re-hospitalization rate among the 3 groups. No adverse reactions occurred in the 3 groups during treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Shenfu injection combined with glucocorticoid is effective in the treatment of patients with acute left heart failure complicated with bronchospasm. It is superior to glucocorticoid and aminophylline in relieving bronchospasm, reducing NT-proBNP level and improving total effective rate, and has good prognosis and safety.

Improving rates of successful extubation: Medications.

This chapter focuses on the pharmacological management of newborn infants in the peri-extubation period to reduce the risk of re-intubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Drugs used to promote respiratory drive, reduce the risk of apnoea, reduce lung inflammation and avoid bronchospasm are critically assessed. When available, Cochrane reviews and randomised trials are used as the primary sources of evidence. Methylxanthines, particularly caffeine, are well studied and there is accumulating evidence to guide clinicians on the timing and dosage that may be used. Efficacy and safety for doxapram, steroids, adrenaline and salbutamol are summarised. Management of term infants, extubation following surgery, accidental and complicated extubation and the use of cuffed endotracheal tubes are presented. Overall, caffeine is the only drug with a substantial evidence base, proven to increase the likelihood of successful extubation in preterm infants; no drugs are needed to facilitate extubation in most term infants. Future studies might further define the role of caffeine in late preterm infants and evaluate medications for post-extubation stridor, bronchospasm or apnoea not responsive to methylxanthines.

The Effect of Albuterol Spray on Hypoxia and Bronchospasm in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) under General Anesthesia: A bouble-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) experience an increased risk of perioperative pulmonary complications. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of albuterol spray on hypoxia and bronchospasm in patients with COPD under general anesthesia. Methods: This single-center, double-blind, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial was performed on 120 smoking patients with COPD who were referred to 5 Azar Educational Hospital in Gorgan, Northern Iran, in 2021. Twenty minutes before general anesthesia and also after completion of surgery and before extubation, 60 patients in the intervention group were inhaled with 2 puffs of albuterol spray. In the control group, patients were inhaled with 2 puffs of placebo spray. In perioperative period, the occurrence of wheezing, bronchospasm, coughing, hemodynamic changes, postoperative shivering, dyspnea, and nausea and vomiting were evaluated in all patients. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) checklist was used to report important aspects of this study. Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.34 ±8.95 years, and 115 (95.8%) of them were males while the rest were females. The difference between systolic blood pressure before induction of anesthesia (after administration of albuterol spray) between the group receiving albuterol spray and the group not receiving it was statistically significant (p=0.04). Also, the difference between the mean arterial oxygen saturation before tracheal extubation (after re-administration of albuterol spray) between the albuterol spray group and the non-albuterol group was statistically significant (p = 0.03). Wheezing and recurrent cough after induction of anesthesia and after extubation (after albuterol spray administration) was lower in the albuterol group than in the control group (p<0.05). No significant side effects were detected in the albuterol-treated group. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it seems that the prophylactic use of albuterol spray is useful in reducing the incidence of wheezing and recurrent cough before induction of anesthesia in COPD patients with smoking.

Inhaled volatile anesthetic gas for severe bronchospasm in the emergency department.

Bronchospasm is caused by reversible constriction of the smooth muscles of the bronchial tree. This causes obstruction of the lower airways, which is commonly seen at the emergency department (ED) in patients with acute exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Ventilation may be difficult in mechanically intubated patients with severe bronchospasm due to airflow limitation, air trapping, and high airway resistance. The beneficial effects of volatile inhaled anesthetic gas had been reported due to its bronchodilation properties. In this case series, we would like to share our experience delivering inhaled volatile anesthetic gas via a conserving device for three patients with refractory bronchospasm at the ED. Inhaled anesthetic gas is safe, feasible and should be considered as an alternative rescue therapy for ventilated patients with severe lower airway obstruction.

Nebulized colistin as the adjunctive treatment for ventilator-associated pneumonia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Nebulized colistin (NC) is a potential therapy for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP); however, the clinical efficacy and safety of NC remain unclear. This study investigated whether NC is an effective therapy for patients with VAP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a search in Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies published at any time until February 6, 2023. The primary outcome was clinical response. Secondary outcomes included microbiological eradication, overall mortality, length of mechanical ventilation (MV), length of intensive care unit stay (ICU-LOS), nephrotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and bronchospasm. RESULTS: Seven observational studies and three RCTs were included. Despite exhibiting a higher microbiological eradication rate (OR,2.21; 95%CI, 1.25-3.92) and the same nephrotoxicity risk (OR,0.86; 95%CI, 0.60-1.23), NC was not significantly different in clinical response (OR,1.39; 95%CI, 0.87-2.20), overall mortality (OR,0.74; 95%CI, 0.50-1.12), MV length (mean difference (MD),-2.5; 95%CI, -5.20-0.19), and the ICU-LOS (MD,-1.91; 95%CI, -6.66-2.84) than by the intravenous antibiotic. Besides, the risk of bronchospasm raised significantly (OR, 5.19; 95%CI, 1.05-25.52) among NC. CONCLUSION: NC was associated with better microbiological outcomes but did not result in any remarkable changes in the prognosis of patients with VAP.

Addition of nebulised lidocaine to prevent refractory bronchospasms in a patient receiving serial bronchoscopies.

A patient in his 20s with a history of granulomatosis with polyangiitis required 15 bronchoscopies with dilations in 1 year due to bronchial fibrosis and secretions leading to worsening shortness of breath. During these bronchoscopies, the patient experienced increasingly severe bronchospasms refractory to conventional preventative and treatment methodologies leading to prolonged hypoxia, reintubations and ICU admissions. During his 8th to 15th bronchoscopies, nebulised lidocaine was added to the pretreatment regimen, which eliminated perioperative bronchospasms and allowed for the elimination of all other adjunctive preventative treatments. This case highlights the novel perioperative use of nebulised lidocaine, in combination with nebulised albuterol and intravenous hydrocortisone, to successfully prevent previously refractory bronchospasms in a patient undergoing a general anaesthetic.

Outpatient administration of naxitamab in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in patients with refractory and/or relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma: Management of adverse events.

BACKGROUND: Naxitamab is a humanized GD2-binding monoclonal antibody that received accelerated approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for refractory or relapsed high-risk neuroblastoma limited to bone or bone marrow. Trial 201 (NCT03363373) is an ongoing global clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of naxitamab in combination with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in this population. AIMS: Here, we review the safety profile and adverse event (AE) management associated with naxitamab administration in a pediatric population, based on Trial 201 protocol guidelines and clinical trial experience. METHODS AND RESULTS: At least 50% of patients experienced pain, hypotension, bronchospasm, cough, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and tachycardia, with the following reported at grade ≥3 AEs for at least 10% of patients: pain, hypotension, urticaria, and bronchospasm. These AEs were generally manageable in the outpatient setting using premedications, supportive therapies, and appropriate monitoring post-infusion. Algorithms were established for infusion-related AEs, including hypotension and bronchospasm, to provide guidance to investigators for early recognition and timely intervention, including medication and infusion rate modification or interruption, or treatment discontinuation, based on AE severity. Educating patients and caregivers on what to expect regarding premedication at home, experience during the infusion cycle, and post-infusion monitoring helps optimize naxitamab treatment and supportive therapies and may reduce treatment burden. CONCLUSION: This article highlights the protocol-based recommendations for the management of acute AEs associated with outpatient naxitamab treatment in Trial 201. The authors recommend close monitoring and timely implementation of measures to ensure that patients can remain on treatment and obtain maximum clinical benefit from naxitamab therapy.

Post-Acute COVID-19 Respiratory Symptoms in Patients With Asthma: An Electronic Health Records-Based Study.

BACKGROUND: Post-viral respiratory symptoms are common among patients with asthma. Respiratory symptoms after acute COVID-19 are widely reported in the general population, but large-scale studies identifying symptom risk for patients with asthma are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To identify and compare risk for post-acute COVID-19 respiratory symptoms in patients with and without asthma. METHODS: This retrospective, observational cohort study included COVID-19-positive patients between March 4, 2020, and January 20, 2021, with up to 180 days of health care follow-up in a health care system in the Northeastern United States. Respiratory symptoms recorded in clinical notes from days 28 to 180 after COVID-19 diagnosis were extracted using natural language processing. Cohorts were stratified by hospitalization status during the acute COVID-19 period. Univariable and multivariable analyses were used to compare symptoms among patients with and without asthma adjusting for demographic and clinical confounders. RESULTS: Among 31,084 eligible patients with COVID-19, 2863 (9.2%) had hospitalization during the acute COVID-19 period; 4049 (13.0%) had a history of asthma, accounting for 13.8% of hospitalized and 12.9% of nonhospitalized patients. In the post-acute COVID-19 period, patients with asthma had significantly higher risk of shortness of breath, cough, bronchospasm, and wheezing than patients without an asthma history. Incident respiratory symptoms of bronchospasm and wheezing were also higher in patients with asthma. Patients with asthma who had not been hospitalized during acute COVID-19 had additionally higher risk of cough, abnormal breathing, sputum changes, and a wider range of incident respiratory symptoms. CONCLUSION: Patients with asthma may have an under-recognized burden of respiratory symptoms after COVID-19 warranting increased awareness and monitoring in this population.