Does Nebulized Ipratropium Bromide Affect PICU Length of Stay? A Single Center Retrospective Chart Review

Objective: To determine whether the addition of ipratropium bromide to nebulized albuterol and systemic corticosteroids affected length of stay in pediatric intensive care unit patients (PICU) with acute asthma exacerbation.Methods: Single center retrospective chart review.Ninety-one patients (aged 2-18 years old) were admitted to PICU because of acute asthma exacerbation.We divided patients into a group that received nebulized albuterol only and a second group received a combination of nebulized albuterol and ipratropium bromide.Both groups received supplemental oxygen and systemic corticosteroids.Results: Patients who received a combination of inhaled ipratropium bromide and nebulized albuterol stayed longer in PICU (p=0.0001) and longer in hospital (p=0.0017)than patients who received nebulized albuterol only.Conclusions: Adding ipratropium bromide to nebulized albuterol prolonged PICU length of stay and hospital length of stay in hospitalized children with acute asthma exacerbation.