Canadian respiratory journal : journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society
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Asthma continues to pose a significant medical problem in terms of both morbidity and mortality. A number of patients with a severe exacerbation of asthma fail medical therapy and require urgent intubation and mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Pressure support ventilation reduces the risk of barotrauma and lowers the work of breathing in these patients. Adjuvant therapy with inhaled anesthetics and bronchoalveolar lavage may also be indicated in patients requiring high pressures to achieve adequate ventilation.