Clinical use of Heliox in Asthma and COPD

Submitted: February 3, 2016
Accepted: February 3, 2016
Published: February 3, 2016
Abstract Views: 1091
PDF: 593
Publisher's note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Authors

Heliox is a low density gas mixture of helium and oxygen commonly used in deep diving (> 6 ATM). This mixture has been also used for clinical purposes, particularly in the critical care setting. Due to of its physical proprieties, Heliox breathing reduces air flow resistances within the bronchial tree; in patients with obstructive lung diseases Heliox may also reduce the work of breathing and improve pulmonary gas exchange efficiency. Beneficial effects have been documented in severe asthma attacks and in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A reduction in WOB during mechanical ventilation and an increase in exercise endurance capacity have also been described in COPD. Heliox has been also used in the treatment of upper airways obstruction, bronchiolitis and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Despite the encouraging results, Heliox use in routine practice remains controversial because of technical implications and high costs.

Dimensions

Altmetric

PlumX Metrics

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Citations

How to Cite

Valli, G., P. Paoletti, D. Savi, D. Martolini, and P. Palange. 2016. “Clinical Use of Heliox in Asthma and COPD”. Monaldi Archives for Chest Disease 67 (3). https://doi.org/10.4081/monaldi.2007.488.

Similar Articles

<< < 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 > >> 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.