Diastolic Hypotension, Troponin Elevation, and Electrocardiographic Changes Associated With the Management of Moderate to Severe Asthma in Children

Objective The objective was to determine the occurrence of, and the factors associated with, diastolic hypotension and troponin elevation or electrocardiogram (ECG) ST‐segment changes in a convenience sample of children with moderate to severe asthma receiving continuous albuterol nebulization. Methods This was a prospective, descriptive study in a pediatric emergency department and an intensive care unit of a tertiary academic center. Fifty children with moderate to severe asthma (clinical asthma score > 8) who received 10 to 15 mg/hour continuous albuterol for >2 hours between June 5, 2007, and February 4, 2008, were approached. Hourly diastolic blood pressures were recorded. Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and ECG tracings were obtained following the first 2 hours of albuterol and then subsequently every 12 hours while receiving continuous albuterol. Main outcome measures were: 1) incidence of diastolic hypotension, 2) incidence of troponin elevation, and 3) incidence of ECG ST‐depression. Results Fifty patients were enrolled. Thirty‐three (66%) patients developed diastolic hypotension during the first 6 hours of continuous albuterol. Diastolic blood pressure declined from baseline at 1–6 hours (p < 0.01 vs. baseline). Twelve patients (24%) had elevated cTnI, 15 patients (30%) had ST‐segment change, four patients (8%) had both, and 23 patients (46%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 32 to 60) had either a cTnI elevation or an ECG ST‐segment change. Troponin elevation and diastolic hypotension were not associated (RR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.6 to 2.3). Conclusions In a subset of children with moderate to severe asthma, diastolic hypotension, troponin elevation, and ECG ST‐segment change occur during administration of continuous albuterol. Future studies are necessary to determine the clinical significance of these findings.