title: Syncope in an adult with uncontrolled asthma.
abstract: Cough syncope occurs primarily in middle-aged male smokers with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has also been described in children with asthma. I report the case of a 34-year-old nonsmoker who had syncope due to coughing, and who also related a 1-year history of cough with wheezing. Chest examination revealed diffuse wheezing and a prolonged expiratory phase, and pulmonary function testing with a methacholine challenge confirmed hyperreactive airways. Notably, while undergoing spirometric testing he had a recurrent syncopal episode. His syncope resolved with medical therapy for asthma.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Beckman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003371:Cough / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents