In cases of severe asthma, what intervention may be necessary to assist breathing?

In cases of severe asthma, mechanical ventilation may be necessary to assist breathing due to the potential for respiratory failure. When a patient experiences a severe asthma exacerbation, the airways become significantly narrowed, leading to extreme difficulty in breathing, inadequate ventilation, and reduced oxygen levels in the blood.

Mechanical ventilation can provide controlled breaths and support lung function when the patient is unable to maintain adequate respiratory effort on their own. This intervention ensures oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal, which is critical in preventing further respiratory compromise and potential organ damage.

While other interventions like continuous positive airway pressure, nitric oxide therapy, and chest physiotherapy can be beneficial in various respiratory conditions or milder asthma cases, they may not provide the necessary level of support for a patient with severe asthma who is in acute respiratory distress. Mechanical ventilation offers the most immediate and effective support in these critical situations.