AN UNCOMMON COMPLICATION OF A COMMON DISORDER: PNEUMOTHORAX, PNEUMOMEDIASTINUM AND SUBCUTANEOUS EMPHYSEMA COMPLICATING ACUTE SEVERE ASTHMA: A CASE REPORT

AbstractCompelling anecdotal evidence exists for the potentially lifesaving benefits of mechanical external chest compression (MECC), but no published trials of the technique exist. The history and technique for MECC are discussed and illustrated by a case report. Although the technique is not discussed in the Resuscitation Guideline 2000, and the need for it within the intensive care unit has reduced, the use of MECC will have its greatest impact when initiated in the prehospital setting for patients suffering from severe, sudden-onset, asphyxic asthma.

Download Full-text

Potentially (near) fatal asthma

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings ◽

10.2500/aap.2019.40.4257 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (6) ◽

pp. 403-405 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Paul A. Greenberger

Keyword(s):

Severe Asthma ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Rescue Therapy ◽

Respiratory Acidosis ◽

Acute Severe Asthma ◽

Increased Risk ◽

High Risk Type ◽

Fatal Asthma ◽

Long Acting ◽

Near Fatal Asthma

Potentially (near) fatal asthma (PFA) defines a subset of patients with asthma who are at increased risk for death from their disease. The diagnosis of PFA should motivate treating physicians, health professionals, and patients to be more aggressive in the monitoring, treatment, and control of this high-risk type of asthma. A diagnosis of PFA is made when any one of the following are present: (1) a history of endotracheal intubation from asthma, (2) acute respiratory acidosis (pH < 7.35) or respiratory failure from acute severe asthma, (3) two or more episodes of acute pneumothorax or pneumomediastinum from asthma, (4) two or more episodes of acute severe asthma, despite the use of long-term oral corticosteroids and other antiasthma medications. There are two predominant phenotypes of near-fatal exacerbations: “subacute” exacerbation and “hyperacute” exacerbation. The best way to “treat” acute severe asthma is 3‐7 days before it occurs (i.e., at the onset of symptoms or change in respiratory function) and to optimize control of asthma by decreasing the number of symptomatic days and the days and/or nights that require rescue therapy and increasing baseline respiratory status in “poor perceivers.” PFA is treated with a multifaceted approach; physicians and health-care professionals should appreciate limitations of pharmacotherapy, including combination inhaled corticosteroid‐long-acting β-agonist products as well as addressing nonadherence, psychiatric, and socioeconomic issues that complicate care.

Download Full-text

Subcutaneous Emphysema, Pneumothorax, Pneumomediastinum, and Pneumoperitoneum During Colonoscopic Balloon Dilation: A Case Report

The Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.1016/s1607-551x(10)70102-9 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 26 (12) ◽

pp. 669-672 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Yi-Chen Chan ◽

Yu-Chuan Tsai ◽

Shih-Yuan Fang

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

Subcutaneous Emphysema ◽

Balloon Dilation

Download Full-text