Our latest collaboration will see the publication of classic episodes of Emergency Medicine Cases published on CanadiEM. First10EM is an exceptional blog developed by fellow Canadian emergency physician, Dr. Justin Morgenstern. In the first episode of First10EM Classics on CanadiEM, Justin provides an approach to life-threatening asthma in the ED. CanadiEM Editor Brent Thoma
Conclusion
Most asthma deaths are the result of poorly controlled disease that slowly deteriorates over days to weeks. Obviously, the best intervention for these patients would occur long before they arrive in extremis. This is the reason to take all asthma seriously and ensure every patient has follow-up and access to necessary medications.
- Note 1: I was inspired by Salim Rezaie of REBEL EM to make some summary images for this post. They certainly aren’t up to Salim’s standards yet – but I will keep trying.
- Note 2: This post was initially publisehd on First10EM on August 18, 2015. It was revised and republished on CanadiEM on April 1st, 2016 as part of a collaboration between CanadiEM and First10EM.