Korean J Med.
2012 Sep;83(3):411-415.
A Case of Brain Death Due to Asthma Exacerbation in a Noncompliant Patient with Refractory Asthma
- Affiliations
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- 1Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. allergy@medimail.co.kr
Abstract
- Although guideline-based asthma therapy has had a positive impact on fatalities due to asthma over the last few decades, some patients refractory to or noncompliant with asthma treatment remain at risk of fatality. A 45-year-old female with refractory asthma and poor compliance and with a frequent history of hospitalization for asthma exacerbations was taken to the emergency room because of cardiorespiratory arrest. Her family reported that she had suffered from an upper respiratory infection followed by severe dyspnea for a few days. The patient developed status asthmaticus, and in spite of intensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation, she was eventually declared brain dead. The patient had not taken medication for asthma regularly for several months before the attack. Refractory and difficult-to-treat asthma should be aggressively monitored to prevent severe asthma exacerbations, which can be fatal, especially in noncompliant patients.
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