Seven patients with status asthmaticus intubated for respiratory failure who had elevated
airway pressures and persistent respiratory acidosis were successfully ventilated using a
mixture of 60 percent helium and 40 percent oxygen. All patients experienced a rapid
reduction in airway pressures, CO 2 retention, and resolution of acidosis while breathing a
helium-oxygen mixture. There were no untoward effects. Helium-oxygen mixtures improve
ventilation by reducing the Reynolds number and reducing density dependent resistance …