Death From Bronchial Asthma

Pulmonary changes and cor pulmonale in mucoviscidosis

“…These lungs also do not show destructive emphysema but are overdistended, as is seen in drowning. Their bronchi are also plugged with mucus (Williams and Leopold, 1959;Gough, 1961). Subsegmental areas of bronchiectasis are also not unusual in asthma (Gough, 1964).…”

Intravenous or inhaled salbutamol in severe acute asthma?

“…The reasons for this failure to respond to inhaled bronchodilators have not hitherto been clarified. In severe asthma, not only is bronchial smooth muscle constriction present, but also mucosal thickening, bronchial wall oedema, and mucus plugging play a major part in causing airways obstruction (Williams and Leopold, 1959). This mechanism of bronchial narrowing would not be expected to respond to bronchodilators and moreover might be expected to prevent the access of inhaled drugs.…”

Deaths in Primary Asthma With Special Reference to Pathology

“…The presence and degree of emphysema was assessed by means of the large paper-mounted sections. Only two older patients showed slight irregular and localized emphysema (Case number 4 and 7 in Table i 6,15,20) which in one instance was combined with hj'pertropliy of the right heart (Case 2). In 16 patients no definite dilation or hypertrophy of the right heart was observed.…”