Heliox Treatment: Effective for Children with Asthma?

Heliox (helium/oxygen mixture) might be superior to oxygen as a driving gas for aerosol delivery of β-agonists in patients with acute asthma because its lower gas density results in decreased flow resistance and increased lung penetration. In a randomized controlled trial, researchers compared heliox versus oxygen for delivery of continuous nebulized albuterol in 30 children aged 2 to 18 years with moderate to severe asthma exacerbations. The study was partially sponsored by a supplier of medical heliox.

Patients received nebulized albuterol and oral corticosteroids at presentation, followed by continuous albuterol (15 mg/hour) with either 100% oxygen or 70%:30% helium/oxygen for 1 hour. Heliox was titrated to maintain oxygen saturation ≥93%…