Editors: Susla, Gregory M.; Suffredini, Anthony F.; McAreavey, Dorothea; Solomon, Michael A.; Hoffman, William D.; Nyquist, Paul; Ognibene, Frederick P.; Shelhamer, James H.; Masur, Henry
Title: Handbook of Critical Care Drug Therapy, 3rd Edition
Copyright 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
> Table of Contents > Chapter 4 - Pulmonary Therapies
Chapter 4
Pulmonary Therapies
TABLE 4.1. Asthma Therapeutic Options
Agents
Dosage
Inhaled Agonists
Albuterol
2.5 mg (0.5 ml) diluted in 2 3 ml 0.9% NaCl q2 6h
10 15 mg/h (2 3 ml) diluted to a minimum of 4 ml at gas flow of 6 8 L/min (see Table 4.4)
Levalbuterol
0.63 1.25 mg
q2 6h
Subcutaneous Agonists
Epinephrine
0.3 mg (0.3 ml)
Terbutaline
0.25 mg (0.25 ml)
Anticholinergic Agents
See Tables 4.2 and 4.3
Theophylline
See Table 4.5
Corticosteroids
Methylprednisolone or
60 125 mg q6 8h
Hydrocortisone or
2 mg/kg q4h
Hydrocortisone
2 mg/kg then 0.5 mg/kg/h
Inhaled Corticosteroids
Beclomethasone
40 160 g twice daily
Budesonide
200 800 g twice daily
Flunisolide
500 1,000 g twice daily
Fluticasone
MDI: 88 220 g twice daily
PWD: 100 1,000 g twice daily
Triamcinolone
200 g 3 to 4 times daily or 400 g twice daily
IV, intravenous; MDI, metered dose inhaler; PO, by mouth; PWD, powder
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Route
Formulation
Comment
Nebulized
Continuous nebulization
0.5% solution
0.5% solution
The frequency of intermittent agonist administration will vary with the severity of illness of the patient; in severely ill patients, the initial interval may be hourly
Nebulized
0.63 mg/3 ml
1.25 mg/3 ml
No greater benefit over albuterol in acutely ill, critically ill, or mechanically ventilated patients; clinical effects similar to albuterol
Subcutaneous
1:1000 solution
May be considered in patients who do not respond to inhaled agonists; may repeat dose every 15 min as needed up to 3 doses
Subcutaneous
1 mg/ml
A second dose may be given after 20 min if necessary
IV/PO
IV
40, 62.5 mg/ml
IV
50 mg/ml
IV
Continuous infusion
MDI
MDI: 40, 80 g/puff
May be considered as an adjunct to systemic steroid therapy initially; initial dose may be higher
The dosing interval may vary depending on the severity of illness of the patient. The dose may need to be higher for patients on mechanical ventilation (i.e., 4 8 puffs q2 6h).
aSalmeterol is indicated for prophylactic use in chronic stable asthma and is not recommended for the treatment of acute bronchospasm. For maintenance of bronchodilatation and prevention of the symptoms of asthma, the usual dose is 2 puffs (42 g) twice (in the morning and evening) daily.
*Dose delivered in terms of 90 g of albuterol base.
Use the guidelines below ( 20%) for 1 hour of nebulization. For prescribed dose of 10 mg/h at 15 L/min flow, add 2 mL albuterol (5 mg/mL) to 48 mL saline for 50 mL/h output. For multiple hours of operation, multiply by the number of hours desired.
Continuous Nebulizer HEART
High Flow
Desired dose (mg/h)
5
10
15
5
10
15
Albuterol 5 mg/mL (mL)
1
2
3
1
2
3
Saline (mL)
29
28
27
49
48
47
Flow rate = Output
10 L/min = 30 mL/h
15 L/min = 50 mL/h
Continuous Nebulizer UniHEART IV
Low Flow
Desired dose (mg/h)
5
10
15
5
10
15
Albuterol 5 mg/mL (mL)
1
2
3
1
2
3
Saline (mL)
3
2
1
8
7
6
Flow rate = Output
2 L/min = 4 mL/h
4 L/min = 9 mL/h
Continuous Nebulizer MiniHEART
Very Low Flow
Desired dose (mg/h)
2.5
5
7.5
10
12.5
15
Albuterol 5 mg/mL (mL)
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
Saline (mL)
7.5
7
6.5
6
5.5
5
Flow rate = Output
2 L/min = 8 mL/h
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TABLE 4.5. Theophylline/Aminophylline Dosing
Theophylline
Aminophylline
Comments
Loading Doses
No prior theophylline or aminophylline
5 mg/kg IV over 30 min
6 mg/kg IV over 30 min
Theophylline = 80% aminophylline
Loading dose administered over 30 min
Prior theophylline or aminophylline
Estimate
Estimate
Theophylline 1 mg/kg IV/PO increases the serum concentration 2 mg/L; aminophylline 1.2 mg/kg IV/PO increases the serum concentration 2 mg/L; therapeutic range 10 20 mg/L
Maintenance Infusion
Adults (smokers)
0.72 mg/kg/h
0.9 mg/kg/h
Maximum doses: theophylline 900 mg/d, aminophylline 1,080 mg/d
Limits FiO2 to maximum O2 concentration in mixture
Decreases turbulence of airflow
Helium/oxygen also available in helium 70% oxygen 30% mixture
Dexamethasone
Decreases airway edema
4 10 mg IV q6h
Antitumor effect on certain anterior mediastinal tumors
Prophylactic for postextubation trauma, surgical trauma; efficacy controversial
Radiation
Shrinks tumor
Anterior mediastinal tumors; tissue diagnosis may be required
Racemic epinephrine
Decreases swelling of airway mucosa
0.5 ml of 2.25% solution in 2 5 ml 0.9% NaCl inhaled q1 4h prn
Vasoconstrictor; may precipitate angina
Endotracheal intubation
Fully obstructed airway
Partially obstructed airway and respiratory failure
Prohibitively increased work of breathing
Oral or nasal endotracheal intubation
Surgical access: cricothyroidot- omy (for rapid access) or tracheostomy
Technique of choice depends on experience of operator, although surgical access may be required
Caution: sedatives, anesthetics, or neuromuscular blockade may convert a partially obstructed airway to a totally obstructed airway
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TABLE 4.8. Mucolytic Agents
Agent
Formulations
Dosage/Interval/Comments
N-acetylcysteine
10%, 20% solutions
Nebulization: 3 5 ml of 20% solution or 6 10 ml of 10% solution tid or qid
Instillation: 1 2 ml of 10% or 20% solution tid or qid
Administer after aerosolized agonist to prevent bronchospasm
20% solution of N-acetylcysteine should be diluted 1:1 with normal saline
Dornase recombinant
2.5 ml ampule containing 1 mg/ml
Nebulization: 2.5 ml qd using a recommended nebulizer. (Hudson T Up-draft II and disposable jet nebulizer, Marquest Acorn II in conjunction with Pulmo-Aide compressor, Pari LC Jet+ nebulizer in conjunction with the Pari PRONEB compressor)
The effects of dornase on respiratory tract infections in cystic fibrosis patients >21 years old may be smaller than younger patients, and twice daily dosing may be required in these patients
Dornase may be continued or initiated during acute respiratory exacerbations, although the benefit of dornase during acute respiratory exacerbations is unknown
Saturated solution of potassium iodide (SSKI)
1 g/ml
0.3 0.6 ml (300 600 mg) PO tid or qid
Guaifenesin
100 mg/5 ml, 200 mg/5 ml solutions
100 400 mg PO qid
PO, by mouth
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TABLE 4.9. Sclerosing Agents for Pleurodesis
Agent
Dosage
Dilution
Comments/Side Effects
Doxycycline
500 1,000 mg
0.9% NaCl 25 100 ml
Fever, chest pain
Talc insufflation
2 10 g
Pain, fever, hypotension; talc insufflation may be done in conjunction with thoracoscopy
Antineoplastic Agents
Bleomycin
60 U
0.9% NaCl 50 100 ml
Do not exceed 40 U/m2 in elderly patients, significant systemic absorption, GI side effects, pain, fever
Cisplatin and cytarabine
Cisplatin 100 mg/m2 and cytarabine 1,200 mg (mixed together)
0.9% NaCl 250 ml
Use depends on antineoplastic activity rather than on irritative properties; myelosup- pression; GI side effects
Doxorubicin
10 100 mg
0.9% NaCl 10 100 ml
Increased toxicity compared with tetracyclines, pain, fever, nausea, vomiting
Fluorouracil
2 3 g
0.9% NaCl 50 100 ml
Leukopenia 7 10 d after instillation
Mechlorethamine
10 30 mg
0.9% NaCl 10 100 ml
Increased toxicity compared with tetracyclines, nausea, vomiting, pain, fever, leukopenia
Thiotepa
0.6 0.8 mg/kg
0.9% NaCl 50 100 ml
Less irritating than other agents
GI, gastrointestinal
Local anesthetics such as 1% lidocaine may be added to the sclerosing solution to reduce pain (up to a total dose of 400 mg).
Pleuritic chest pain may be treated with analgesics
Risk of bleeding complications, avoid concurrent anticoagulation
Most common adult dose is 50 mg
Directions for use:
The optimal dosage of thrombolytic agent, duration of therapy, and effectiveness remain to be determined.
The volume of agent administered should be adjusted based on the size of the effusion.
After the agent is instilled into the pleural space, the chest tube should be clamped and the patient rotated in several positions to permit adequate drug distribution throughout the pleural space.
The chest tube should remain clamped for 0.5 to 4 hours.
After the chest tube is unclamped, the chest tube should be put on suction and the contents of the pleural space evacuated.
The volume of the fluid returned should be determined. (Note: the volume of the dose instilled must be subtracted from the volume returned.)
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TABLE 4.11. Pulmonary Embolism Therapy
Agent
Loading Dosage
Maintenance Dosage
Comments
Anticoagulants
Heparin sulfate
80 U/kg IV bolus
18 U/kg/h for at least 7 d
Check aPTT 6 h after therapy initiated; maintain aPTT 1.5 2.5 baseline
Heparin clearance is increased in pulmonary embolism compared with deep venous thrombosis
Contraindicated in patients with active bleeding or heparin- induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis
See Table 8.7 for weight-based dosing.
Warfarin
5 10 mg/d
2 7.5 mg/d
Therapy may start on the 2nd day of heparinization
Dosage should be adjusted to maintain PT 1.5 2 baseline PT (INR 2 3)
Use for 3 6 m to prevent recurrent pulmonary emboli unless there are persisting risk factors for hemorrhage
Contraindicated in patients with active bleeding and in pregnancy
Decrease loading and maintenance in presence of liver disease.
See Table 8.6
Enoxaparin
1 mg/kg q12h
Warfarin therapy started on day 1 of therapy
No need to monitor aPTT
Equally effective with less risk of bleeding compared with unfractionated heparin
Tinzaparin
175 anti-Xa U/kg daily
Treatment for at least 5 d until anticoagulated with warfarin
Thrombolyticsa
Indications include severe hypoxemia or hemodynamic instability
See Table 8.7
Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA)
100 mg IV over 2 h
Contraindicated in patients with active bleeding, severe hypertension, trauma, recent stroke or surgery, or any hemorrhagic disease
aPTT, activated partial thromboplastin time; INR, international normalization ratio; IV, intravenous; PT, prothrombin time
aThe conventional indication for thrombolytic therapy is massive pulmonary embolism, characterized by one or more of the following abnormalities: (a) angiographic evidence of pulmonary artery occlusion of at least 40%; (b) hypotension with systolic arterial pressure <90 100 mm Hg; (c) syncope; (d) echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular dysfunction.