NEBULIZED MAGNESIUM-SULFATE VERSUS NEBULIZED SALBUTAMOL IN ACUTE BRONCHIAL-ASTHMA - A CLINICAL-TRIAL

Intravenous magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) has successfully been used in t he treatment of acute asthma, The present study investigated the effic acy of nebulized MgSO4 as a bronchodilator in acute asthma as compared to nebulized salbutamol, This was a randomized, double-blind, control led clinical trial. Asthmatics aged 12-60 yrs in acute exacerbation, w ith a peak expiratory flow (PEF) <300 L.min(-1), not having taken bron chodilators and not requiring assisted ventilation were included. Pati ents were randomized to receive treatment with serial nebulizations of either 3 mt (3.2% solution, 95 mg) MgSO4 solution or 3 mL (2.5 mg) sa lbutamol solution. All patients were also given 100 mg hydrocortisone i,v,, and were monitored continuously for 2 h after which they were gi ven supplemental treatment (if and when needed) and either discharged or admitted. Fischl index, PEF improvements (in % predicted) and admis sion rates were the outcome variables. Thirty-three patients were stud ied, Fischl score improvement was comparable and significant in both g roups (4.31 to 0.43 in the MgSO4 group and 4.29 to 0.76 in the salbuta mol group). The increase in PEF was statistically significant and comp arable in both groups (by 35% pred in the MgSO4 and by 42% pred in the salbutamol group). Two patients warranted admission in the salbutamol group and one in the MgSO4 group, Nebulized MgSO4 had a significant b ronchodilatory effect in acute asthma, This effect was not significant ly different from that of nebulized salbutamol.