The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of mechanical ventilation in life-threatening status asthmaticus. 16 patients were treated for a total of 22 episodes of acute respiratory acidosis, with coma in 11 cases. Controlled mechanical ventilation was maintained from 10 to 196 hours and involved only minor complications without sequelae. All patients survived. These favourable results are attributed to a new strategy: the aim of mechanical ventilation is to relieve hypoxemia with hyperoxic mixtures without seeking rapid correction of hypercapnia, which is obtained later when bronchial desobstruction provides better conditions of VA/Q distribution. This allows low tidal volumes and low frequency, avoids high airway pressures and so decreases the danger of barotrauma and cardio-circulatory complications.