Recent Developments in Heliox Therapy for Asthma and Bronchiolitis

Helium and oxygen gas mixtures (heliox) have become an area of renewed interest in pediatric emergency and critical care for the treatment of acute asthma exacerbations and bronchiolitis. After a review of recent literature on heliox, this article will provide an overview of delivery techniques. This article will primarily focus on heliox inhalation therapy and heliox-driven nebulizer therapy for acute asthma exacerbations. The emergence of heliox inhalation therapy for acute viral bronchiolitis will also be addressed.

Keywords: asthma, heliox, bronchiolitis, pediatrics