Safety of nebulized epinephrine in smoke inhalation injury

Model System:

Burn

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J81090

Journal:

Journal of Burn Care And Research (formerly Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation)

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2017 , 38, 6, 396-402

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study evaluated the safety of nebulized epinephrine when used as a therapy for smoke inhalation injury in severely burned children. Sixteen patients, 7 to 19 years of age, with burns covering more than 30 percent of the total body surface area, and smoke inhalation injury as diagnosed by bronchoscopy at burn center admission, were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomized to receive either standard of care, which consisted of nebulized acetylcysteine, nebulized heparin, and nebulized albuterol, or to receive standard of care plus nebulized epinephrine. Primary endpoints were death, chest pain, and adverse changes in cardiopulmonary hemodynamics (arrhythmia, arterial blood pressure, electrocardiographic changes, and peak inspiratory pressure). Additional endpoints included total days on ventilator, pulmonary function, and physiological cardiopulmonary measurements at intensive care unit discharge. No adverse events were observed during or after the nebulization of epinephrine, and no deaths were reported that were attributable to the administration of nebulized epinephrine. The groups did not significantly differ with regard to age, sex, burn size, days on ventilator, pulmonary function, or cardiopulmonary fitness. Results of this pilot trial indicate epinephrine to be safe when administered to pediatric burn patients with smoke inhalation injury. These findings warrant future efficacy studies with a greater number of patients.

Author(s):