Abstract
The effects of β2-agonist inhalation and aminophylline intravenous drip as initial treatments for acute exacerbations of asthma were compared in 62 asthmatic children with intermediate to mild attack who could be treated at the outpatient department. The subjects were divided into three groups,
(1) aminophylline drip single group, (2) β2-agonist inhalation single group, and (3) combined group. The pulmonary function and clinical score were investigated. The combined group showed a higher improvement rate of the pulmonary function than the β2-agonist inhalation single group, which was especially marked in the small airway. When aminophylline intravenous drip is combined with β2-agonist inhalation, the finding indicates the possibility that the arithmetic effect may be seen with the bronchial dilation effect by the addition of aminophylline in the small airway. Although there was no difference of the clinical score among the three groups, the early improvement in the small airway suits the purpose of long-term asthmatic management. We concluded that the therapy of conventional β2-agonist inhalation combined with aminophylline intravenous drip was considered useful and safe as an initial treatment for asthma used at pediatric outpatient departments.
