RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Aspirin-intolerance as a precipitating factor of life-threatening attacks of asthma requiring mechanical ventilation
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 127
OP 129
DO 10.1183/09031936.93.02020127
VO 2
IS 2
A1 Picado, C
A1 Castillo, JA
A1 Montserrat, JM
A1 Agusti-Vidal, A
YR 1989
UL https://publications.ersnet.org//content/2/2/127.abstract
AB The records of 92 asthmatics who underwent mechanical ventilation were reviewed. In seven patients (8%) the severe attack was precipitated by a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID); one of these patients died. Five of the cases had a history of asthmatic attacks provoked by NSAIDs; whilst in two the severe attack requiring mechanical ventilation was the first manifestation of NSAID-intolerance. In two patients the NSAID had been prescribed by their physicians. Another aspirin-intolerant patient, a general practitioner, self-administered a NSAID. The sudden attack in another patient was precipitated by a preparation which contains aspirin and is usually recommended for indigestion. In the fatal case the attack was provoked by a capsule containing aspirin, which had been given by a herbalist. Unlike other reports, we found that NSAID-intolerance is a frequent provoking factor in severe acute asthma requiring mechanical ventilation. Inadequate investigation of precipitating factors in asthmatics with severe sudden attacks is a possible reason why this phenomenon is underreported.