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Status asthmaticus complicated by cardiac arrest.
L J McIver1, L Halkidis, P Talbutt
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Cairns Base Hospital, Cairns, Queensland, Australia. lachlan.mciver@gmail.com
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care
|June 3, 2010
Summary
Severe asthma can rarely cause heart problems, including heart attack and dangerous arrhythmias. This case highlights a patient experiencing both during asthma treatment, emphasizing the need for cardiac monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pulmonology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Severe acute asthma (status asthmaticus) can precipitate various cardiovascular complications.
- Electrocardiographic abnormalities and reversible systolic dysfunction are known, though rare, complications.
Observation:
- A middle-aged indigenous male presented with status asthmaticus.
- During acute treatment for severe asthma, the patient experienced an ST-elevation myocardial infarction.
Findings:
- The patient subsequently developed pulseless ventricular tachycardia arrest.
- This occurred within the acute phase of management for status asthmaticus.
Implications:
- This case underscores the rare but critical risk of acute myocardial infarction and fatal arrhythmias in severe asthma.
- Highlights the importance of vigilant cardiac monitoring in patients with status asthmaticus.
- Suggests potential underlying mechanisms linking severe bronchospasm and acute coronary events.
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