Status asthmaticus complicated by cardiac arrest

Abstract

In the setting of severe acute asthma, electrocardiographic abnormalities are not uncommon and some patients will develop reversible systolic dysfunction. However, acute myocardial infarction and potentially fatal arrhythmias are rare. We report the case of a middle-aged indigenous male who suffered an ST-elevation myocardial infarction and then pulseless ventricular tachycardia arrest while still in the acute phase of treatment for status asthmaticus.