Halothane in status asthmaticus.

The authors administered halothane anesthesia to treat a child with status asthmaticus that was refractory to conventional pharmacological therapy and mechanical ventilation. Halothane is an inhalation anesthetic with potent bronchodilator properties. Marked improvement in gas exchange occurred in this patient after 10 min of treatment with halothane. The pharmacology of halothane is reviewed and a possible role for its use in childhood asthma is proposed.