April 2007

Become Your Facility's Asthma Expert
Pediatric asthma is a major problem for U.S. hospitals, and respiratory therapists are best prepared to take on the condition. But convincing your physicians and administrators that you are the right person for asthma disease management is much easier if you also hold the Asthma Educator-Certified credential. The AARC can help. The Association's popular Asthma Educator Certification Preparation Course provides all the information you need to ensure you have what you need to pass the exam. The next available session is coming up July 15-16 in Reno/Lake Tahoe, NV – right after the Summer Forum. Early bird registration discounts are available through June 22. LEARN MORE  

VG Ventilation Reduces Inflammatory Markers in RDS Infants
Italian researchers publishing in the April 3 Epub edition of Archives of Disease in Childhood, Fetal and Neonatal Edition find volume-guarantee (VG) ventilation may be better than high frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) at reducing lung inflammation that can lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants being treated for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The study randomized 40 infants born at 25-32 weeks gestation to either assist-control ventilation plus VG or HFOV. They then measured standard markers of inflammation on days 1, 3, and 7 of life. IL-6 levels were significantly higher on day 3 in the HFOV infants, and these infants were oxygen dependent significantly longer. The authors conclude, “VG-ventilation is an effective lung-protective strategy to be used in acute RDS, inducing a lower expression of early inflammation markers when compared to HFOV. Whether the use of this initial ventilatory strategy contributes to the prevention of BPD requires further studies.” READ ABSTRACT

Outpatient Treatment with Oral Corticosteroids Reduces Hospitalizations for Some with Bronchiolitis
A new study out of the Medical College of Wisconsin shows treatment with oral corticosteroids in the outpatient setting reduces hospitalizations among infants with bronchiolitis who have a family history of asthma or allergic rhinitis, or who test negative for the respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV). The research looked at treatment records for 320 patients. Overall 17% were hospitalized. Hospitalized patients were more likely to be RSV-positive and have been exposed to tobacco smoke in the home. Younger patients were also more likely to be admitted for treatment. The study appeared in the Mar. 22 Epub edition of Primary Respiratory Care Journal. READ ABSTRACT

Poor Asthma Control Leads to Poor HRQL, Missed School Days
Inadequately controlled asthma has a big impact on education and other daily activities for children, report researchers who studied 239 children between the ages of 4 and 18. The children and their caregivers were assessed for asthma control and the impact of asthma on daily life using several standard measures. Over half the group was found to be inadequately controlled, and both health related quality of life (HRQL) and productivity were lower in the inadequately controlled children. On average, children who were not well controlled missed 4.1 days of school in the past year and caregivers missed 1.4 days of work to care for their child's asthma. The study appeared in the March issue of the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. READ ABSTRACT

DEX Has Positive Impact on Pulmonary Function at School Age in VLBW Infants
Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants who receive postnatal dexamethasone (DEX) are less likely to have below normal results on pulmonary function tests by the time they reach school age. That's the key finding from Wake Forest University researchers who conducted a follow-up study in 68 VLBW infants who were randomized to treatment with DEX or placebo when they were infants. Results showed 68% of the placebo group had below normal FEV1, versus 40% of the treated children. FEV1/FVC was below normal in 50% of the placebo children and 34% of the DEX children. Asthma incidence did not differ between the two groups. Further analysis suggested the better pulmonary function seen in the DEX group may have been mediated by shortened exposure to mechanical ventilation in that group. The study appears in this month's Journal of Pediatrics. READ ABSTRACT

Upcoming Educational Opportunities from the AARC

• Webcast: Patient Literacy , Aug. 15, one free CRCE for AARC members.
• Summer Meetings: July 12-17 , Reno/Lake Tahoe, NV
• AARC International Respiratory Congress: Dec. 1-4 , Orlando, FL