Arterial blood gas tensions in acute severe asthma

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Abstract
Serial changes in arterial blood gases were studied in 14 patients with acute, severe asthma, all of whom received a standard therapeutic regime and had similar measurements made at identical time intervals under standard conditions. Hypoxemia on admission was a constant finding, and the arterial O2 tension often took 1 or longer to return to a normal level. Treatment with 60% inspired O2 provided a safe means of relieving hypoxemia, provided that blood gases were measured before and during O2 therapy. Most patients had a normal arterial Co2 tension, which indicated the severity of their illness. Acid-base disturbances, when present, were mild and needed no specific treatment. Age, duration of the acute attack and severity of airways obstruction were unrelated to the changes in blood gas tensions, and pulse rate was a poor predictor of hypoxemia in elderly asthmatics. Serial measurements of the arterial blood gases should be made in all patients with acute, severe asthma.