Bench-to-bedside review: β2-Agonists and the acute respiratory distress syndrome

doi:10.1186/cc2417

Critical Care
Volume 8
Issue 1

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Perkins GD
McAuley DF
Richter A
Thickett DR
Gao F

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McAuley DF
Richter A
Thickett DR
Gao F
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Review

Bench-to-bedside review: β₂-Agonists and the acute respiratory distress syndrome

Gavin D Perkins¹, Daniel F McAuley², Alex Richter³, David R Thickett⁴ and Fang Gao⁵

¹Research Fellow, Intensive Care Unit, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK

²Specialist Registrar, Intensive Care Unit, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK

³Research Fellow, Lung Inflammation and Fibrosis Treatment Programme, Division of Medical Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

⁴Senior Lecturer, Lung Inflammation and Fibrosis Treatment Programme, Division of Medical Science, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

⁵Consultant, Intensive Care Unit, Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Birmingham, UK

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2004, 8:25-32doi:10.1186/cc2417


Published:	23 December 2003

Abstract

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating constellation of clinical, radiological and pathological signs characterized by failure of gas exchange and refractory hypoxia. Despite nearly 30 years of research, no specific pharmacological therapy has yet proven to be efficacious in manipulating the pathophysiological processes that underlie this condition. Several in vitro and in vivo animal or human studies suggest a potential role for β₂-agonists in the treatment of ARDS. These agents have been shown to reduce pulmonary neutrophil sequestration and activation, accelerate alveolar fluid clearance, enhance surfactant secretion, and modulate the inflammatory and coagulation cascades. They are also used widely in clinical practice and are well tolerated in critically ill patients. The present review examines the evidence supporting a role for β₂-agonists as a specific pharmacological intervention in patients with ARDS.