Positive Expiratory Pressure for the Treatment of Acute Asthma in Children



Status:Completed
Conditions:Asthma
Therapuetic Areas:Pulmonary / Respiratory Diseases
Healthy:No
Age Range:2 - 18
Updated:12/10/2017
Start Date:October 2014
End Date:April 12, 2017

Use our guide to learn which trials are right for you!

Positive Expiratory Pressure for the Treatment of Acute Asthma Exacerbations in Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Asthma is a leading cause of emergency department (ED) visits for children. A novel way of
treating asthma is the use of positive expiratory pressure (PEP). Positive expiratory
pressure works by creating pressure in the lungs to keep airways open and to clear mucus from
the lungs. PEP is already used in the treatment of asthma at the investigators institution,
but studies evaluating the efficacy of PEP therapy in asthma exacerbations do not exist. This
study plans to learn more about the use of PEP therapy in the treatment of asthma
exacerbations in children in the emergency department. Specifically, the study aims to
evaluate if PEP therapy reduces the severity of asthma exacerbations in children and if it
reduces the need for additional therapies and admission to the hospital. This study will be a
randomized control trial comparing children who receive standard therapy to those who receive
standard therapy plus PEP therapy in the treatment of asthma exacerbations. Children age 2 to
18 years presenting to the ED with moderate to severe asthma exacerbations will be included
in the study. Reduction in clinical asthma severity will be measured by change in the
Pulmonary Asthma Score (the respiratory severity score used at the investigators
institution). The need for additional therapies and hospitalization will also be evaluated.


Inclusion Criteria:

- Age >= 2 and < 18 years of age

- Established diagnosis of asthma, defined as at least two prior episodes of treatment
with bronchodilators in their lifetime

- Initial ED presentation with a moderate to severe asthma exacerbation, as defined by a
pulmonary asthma score (PAS) >7

- PAS score >7 and <12 after completion of first line therapies (three doses
albuterol/ipratropium bromide and oral corticosteroids)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Do not receive complete first line therapies

- Immediately receive a disposition (admission or discharge) as determined by the
treating clinician after completion of first line therapies

- Receive prednisone or more than two doses of inhaled bronchodilators prior to main ED
evaluation (e.g. during EMS transport or primary care visit)

- Co-morbid illnesses interfering with or contraindicated to usual asthma therapy (e.g.
facial or airway abnormalities, pneumonia, chronic lung disease, congenital heart
disease, cystic fibrosis, or pneumothorax)

- Critically ill at presentation

- Pregnant women (women known to be pregnant at the time of enrollment)
We found this trial at
1
site
13123 E 16th Ave
Aurora, Colorado 80045
(720) 777-1234
Phone: 303-724-6575
Children's Hospital Colorado At Children's Hospital Colorado, we see more, treat more and heal more...
?
mi
from
Aurora, CO
Click here to add this to my saved trials