Title: The Critically Ill Asthmatic Patient<br/>Author: Mike Winters<br/><a href='http://umem.org/profiles/faculty/141/'>[Click to email author]</a><hr/><p> <strong><u>Initial Mechanical Ventilation Settings for the Intubated Asthmatic</u></strong></p> <ul> <li> Approximately 2% of adult patients who present with an acute asthma exacerbation will require intubation and mechanical ventilation.</li> <li> It is critical to provide the intubated asthmatic with sufficient time for exhalation.</li> <li> Initial recommended settings for mechanical ventilation include: <ul> <li> Tidal volume: 6-8 ml/kg ideal body weight</li> <li> <strong>Respiratory rate: 6-10 breaths per minute</strong></li> <li> PEEP: 0-5 cm H2O</li> <li> Inspiratory flow rate: 80-120 L/min</li> </ul> </li> <li> Permissive hypercapnea is tolerated to a pH of approximately 7.15</li> </ul> <fieldset><legend>References</legend>
<p> Long B, et al. Evaluation and management of the critically ill adult asthmatic in the emergency department setting. <em>Am J Emerg Med</em>. 2021;44:441-51.</p> </fieldset>