Unexpected death in bronchial asthma: a warning sign with a clinicopathologic correlation.

Abstract

Article1 December 1960UNEXPECTED DEATH IN BRONCHIAL ASTHMA: A WARNING SIGN WITH A CLINICOPATHOLOGIC CORRELATIONMICHAEL MARIE O'BRIEN, M.D., MATTHEW J. FERGUSON, M.D.MICHAEL MARIE O'BRIEN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, MATTHEW J. FERGUSON, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-53-6-1162 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptDeath in uncomplicated bronchial asthma is a shocking experience. Recently such a death at this hospital provoked an inquiry into the cause of such fatalities and their possible prevention.A study of the autopsy files from 1933 to 1960 produced records of three asthmatic deaths, which occurred in 1948, 1955, and 1959. These three patients died quite unexpectedly during acute attacks of extrinsic asthma. Other deaths attributed to bronchial asthma were not included in this study because of the presence of concurrent disease processes, such as cardiac or infectious pulmonary involvement, or because such deaths occurred in the older age...Bibliography1. Unger L: Pathology of bronchial asthma with five autopsy reports, South. M. J. 38: 513, 1945. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. ThiemeSheldon ETJM: A correlation of the clinical pathological findings in bronchial asthma, J. Allergy 9: 246, 1938. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. Rackemann F: Deaths from asthma, J. Allergy 15: 249, 1944. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. WaltonPennerWilt CDWJC: Sudden death in asthma, Canad. M. A. J. 64: 95, 1951. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. Maxwell J: Unexpected death in asthma, Dis. of Chest 27: 208, 1955. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. CecilLoeb RR Editors: A textbook of medicine, 10th Ed., 1959, W. B. Saunders Co., Philadelphia, p. 427. Google Scholar7. Bullen SS: Correlation of clinical and autopsy findings in 176 cases of asthma, J. Allergy 23: 193, 1952. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. WalzerFrost ITT: Death occurring in bronchial asthma. A report of five cases, J. Allergy 23: 204, 1952. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. CrepeaHarmon SBJW: Pathology of bronchial asthma, J. Allergy 26: 453, 1955. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. SchillerColmesDavid IWAD: Occurrence of cor pulmonale in bronchial asthma, New England J. Med. 228: 113, 1943. CrossrefGoogle Scholar11. Ratner B: Use and abuse of drugs in the treatment of asthma in children, Pediatrics 23: 781, 1959. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. Segal M: The management of the patient with severe bronchial asthma 1950, Charles C Thomas, Springfield, Illinois. Google Scholar13. Grace W: Personal communication, 1960. Google Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: New York, N. Y.*Received for publication April 4, 1960.From the Department of Medicine, the St. Vincent's Hospital of the City of New York.Requests for reprints should be addressed to Matthew J. Ferguson, M.D., St. Vincent's Hospital of the City of New York, New York 11, N. Y. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byThe past, present, and future of allergic medical careThe acute asthmatic in the emergency department: The decision to admit or dischargePsychological Factors Associated with Pediatric Asthma Death: A ReviewBronchial asthma in adults: Presentation to the emergency departmentDrug Spotlight Program Drug Therapy in the Management of AsthmaPAUL P. VanARSDEL JR., M.D., F.A.C.P., GLENNON H. PAUL, M.D.Severe Bronchial Asthma: Factors Influencing Intensive Care Management and OutcomeToxicity of AerosolsAsthma as a Lethal Disease: The Cincinnati ExperienceBronchopulmonary Lavage: A “New” Approach to Old ProblemsStatus AsthmaticusLife-threatening asthmaTreatment of acute respiratory acidosis complicating status asthmaticusSevere status asthmaticus: Prolonged treatment with assisted ventilationResuscitation of the moribund asthmatic.Status AsthmaticusSudden death in asthmaVerursacht der Status asthmaticus hypox�mische Organsch�den ?Recognition and Treatment of Potentially Fatal AsthmaRONALD FELDMAN, M.D. 1 December 1960Volume 53, Issue 6Page: 1162-1169KeywordsAsphyxiaAsthmaAutopsyDyspneaHeart diseasesHospital medicineInfectious diseasesPulmonary diseasesSedation ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 December 1960 PDF downloadLoading ...