The effectiveness of IV beta-agonists in treating patients with acute asthma in the emergency department: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the benefit of IV beta(2)-agonists for severe acute asthma treated in the emergency department (ED).

METHODS: Randomized controlled trials were identified using EMBASE, MEDLINE, and CINAHL; the Cochrane Airways Review Group database; hand searching; bibliographies; pharmaceutical companies; and author contact. Studies where IV beta(2)-agonists were compared to placebo and/or existing standards of care were considered. Where appropriate, trials were combined using odds ratios (ORs) or weighted mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: From 746 identified references, 55 potentially relevant articles were identified and 15 articles were included. All trials were performed outside North America and were published prior to 1997. Three main treatment strategies were reviewed: strategy 1 (three articles), IV beta(2)-agonists with inhaled beta(2)-agonists vs inhaled beta(2)-agonists; strategy 2 (six articles), IV beta(2)-agonists alone vs inhaled beta(2)-agonists; and strategy 3 (six articles), IV beta(2)-agonists vs IV methylxanthines. Compared to all treatments, IV beta(2)-agonist use did not lead to clinical or statistical significant differences in vital signs, pulmonary functions, laboratory measures, adverse effects, or clinical success. Although statistically nonsignificant, seven methodologically strong studies demonstrated that peak expiratory flows and heart rates were unchanged following beta(2)-agonist use compared to all other treatments at 60 min (8.3 L/min [95% CI, 17.6 to 34.2] and 3.65 beats/min [95% CI, 2.9 to 10.2], respectively), with an increased risk of adverse effects (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 0.5 to 8.2).

CONCLUSIONS: Evidence is lacking to support the use of IV beta(2)-agonists in ED patients with severe acute asthma. Moreover, the clinical benefit appears questionable, while the potential clinical risks are obvious. The only recommendations for IV beta-(2)agonist use should be in those patients in whom inhaled therapy is not feasible, or in the context of a controlled clinical trial comparing IV beta(2)-agonists with standard care vs standard care alone.