Resumen de Heliox como tratamiento del crup moderado
Rafael Marañon Pardillo, A. Peñalba Citores, Concepción Míguez Navarro, M. Guerrero Soler, P. Vázquez López
Objectives: Heliox (a mixture of helium and oxygen) crosses an obstruction of the airways better than oxygen. The objective of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of the administration of heliox in croup. Material and method: A randomized, open clinical trial carried out between October 2006 and November 2007, in children with moderate croup as per Taussig scale. A single dose of 0.3 mg/kg of dexamethasone was administered orally. The patients were randomized in two groups, control group A and group B, administering heliox 70/30 during one hour. The Taussig scale and the respiratory frequency upon admission were analyzed, 60′ and 120′; as well as the need of nebulized rescue adrenaline, the admission rate, and the re- consultation within the following 72 hours. Results: Forty-seven patients were included in the study; 23 in group A and 24 in group B. Both groups were homogenous. The initial Taussig scale, 60′ and 120′ (group A/group B) was of 6.22/6.21; 3.74/2.63 (p=0.02); 2.17/1.46 (p=0.17) respectively. The respiratory frequency at the beginning, 60′ and 120′ (group A/group B) was of 37.48/39.13; 35.61/30.67 (p=0.04); 32.17/29 (p=0.16) respectively. Five patients from group A needed nebulized rescue adrenaline versus 1 patient from group B (p=0.01). Two patients from group A were admitted and 1 patient from group B (p=0.609). In the following 72 hours, 2 patients from group A and two patients from group B came to our emergency room (p=1). Conclusion: The coadjuvant treatment with heliox to the steroid therapy in moderate croup improves the clinical results of the latter.
