Heliox

Heliox (HeO₂) has been used in the medical setting for over thirty years. Its usage, up until recently was more often than not, limited to Ear, Nose and Throat surgery for conditions such as laryngeal stridor or spasm. More recently there has been an upsurge of interest in using Heliox for lower airway obstruction and an amount of research has, and is being carried out for this application. Heliox is a mixture of Helium (He) and Oxygen (O₂). Currently BOC Medical offers a mixture of 79% He and 21% O₂. Other mixes will be available in the near future.

Uses

• Croup
• Epiglottitis
• Laryngitis
• Tracheitis
• Stridor
• Foreign body aspiration
• Post extubation or bronchoscopy
• Tumour
• Tracheomalacia
• Tracheal stenosis
• Asthma
• (COPD)
• Cystic fibrosis
• Bronchiectasis
• Bronchiolitis
• Infection

Research continues into the use of Heliox in intensive care with non-invasive & invasive ventilation, and in the theatre setting with anaesthesia.

Mode of action

Helium is eight times less dense than oxygen and the Heliox mixtures are typically three times less dense than air. This property means the introduction of Helium allows patients with the above conditions to breathe more freely reducing their dyspnoea and improving their comfort. Normally, when a breath is taken the air that is inspired becomes quite turbulent and remains so until it reaches the lower airways where it goes through a transitional stage: becoming less turbulent and laminar in its flow. When an obstruction of some sort is present in the airways turbulent flow is more prominent and this increases the work of breathing leading to increased shortness of breath. By using Heliox the work of breathing has been demonstrated to be reduced and a better clearance of carbon dioxide (CO₂) takes place. It is known that molecules diffuse 4-5 times through Heliox than through an oxygen-nitrogen mixture. To achieve the most benefit from the addition of Helium the % used should be above 60%.

Contra-indications/side effects

There are no contra-indications for the use of Heliox. It should be remembered that Heliox is not an alternative therapy but is an adjunct to any existing treatment plans.

Heliox Cylinder Factsheets

Heliox 21 is available with our new cylinder technology, for a downloadable factsheet click here.

More information

For more information on Heliox, contact your local account manager for a meeting or to request product related literature. Reference guides, brochures, case studies, and safety data sheets are avaialable.

You can also call our call centre on 0800 111 333

or e-mail BOC Medical Customer enquiries team.