Oxygen/Helium 30/70

What is this medication?

Oxygen/Helium 30/70, commonly known as heliox, is a medical gas mixture consisting of 30 percent oxygen and 70 percent helium. This medication is primarily used to assist patients who are struggling to breathe due to narrow or obstructed airways. Because helium is much less dense than the nitrogen typically found in room air, the mixture flows more smoothly through the respiratory tract. This reduced resistance makes it significantly easier for a patient to move air in and out of their lungs, thereby decreasing the overall work of breathing.

Medical professionals typically use this gas mixture in clinical settings to manage acute respiratory distress associated with conditions such as severe asthma attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or upper airway obstructions like croup. By improving airflow and gas exchange, Oxygen/Helium 30/70 helps stabilize the patient while other primary treatments have time to work. It is administered through specialized masks or ventilation equipment under the direct supervision of healthcare providers to ensure the patient receives the correct concentration and flow rate.