title: Case discussions on the pathophysiology and clinical features of near-fatal asthma episodes.
abstract: This article reviews the definition of near-fatal asthma. The slow-onset, late arrival group and the sudden-onset groups of near-fatal asthma patients are discussed. Risk factors for near-fatal asthma and the pathologic differences between the two groups are elucidated.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Section, Kelsey Seybold Clinic, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Siddiqi
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bandi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000503:physiopathology; D004630:Emergencies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors