Ventilator strategy for status asthmaticus in pregnancy: a case-based review.

Asthma is a common and potentially serious condition complicating pregnancy. However, the literature available on the management of severe asthma in pregnancy is limited. We describe two episodes of respiratory failure due to asthma in pregnant women and discuss their management in the context of a review of the literature. In both patients, adequate oxygenation was maintained by using controlled hypoventilation with a permissive hypercapnia strategy. Both patients received aggressive steroid therapy, aerosolized bronchodilators, sedation, and paralysis. Aggressive asthma treatment as in a nongravid female is recommended.