Intramuscular Epinephrine as an Adjunctive Treatment for Severe Pediatric Asthma Exacerbation
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2018-04-30
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Project Aim: To determine if intramuscular epinephrine is an effective adjunct to inhaled
bronchodilators (β2 agonists) for children with severe asthma exacerbation.
Hypothesis: IM epinephrine is an efficacious adjunct to inhaled bronchodilators (β2 agonists)
for children with severe asthma exacerbation.
Intervention: Subjects will be randomly assigned (50% chance) to receive a weight based dose
of IM epinephrine 1:1000 or no adjunctive medication. The dose will be 0.2 mg for subjects
20-30 kg and 0.3 mg for subjects greater than 30 kg. This will be injected intramuscularly by
an ED nurse into the anterior thigh muscles of the subject using a 1 ml syringe and a 23
gauge one inch needle.
In addition to the study intervention, the standardized treatment pathway based on the
current asthma guidelines in use at the investigator's center will be utilized. This pathway
includes nebulized albuterol, ipratropium bromide, and systemic corticosteroids. The duration
and dosages of these other interventions will be administered at the discretion of the
treating provider.