Acetylcysteine for Life-Threatening Acute Bronchial Obstruction
Authors: JOHN C. DONALDSON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1978)

Brief Reports1 May 1978Acetylcysteine for Life-Threatening Acute Bronchial ObstructionJOHN C. DONALDSON, M.D., F.A.C.P., DAVID R. STOOP, M.D., F.A.C.P., LAWRENCE W. RAYMOND, M.D., F.A.C.P., JOHN D. ROYALL, M.D., KIRK E. HIPPENSTEEL, M.D., ORR M. COBB, M.D.JOHN C. DONALDSON, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this author, DAVID R. STOOP, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this author, LAWRENCE W. RAYMOND, M.D., F.A.C.P.Search for more papers by this author, JOHN D. ROYALL, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, KIRK E. HIPPENSTEEL, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ORR M. COBB, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-88-5-656 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptSince its original description by Sheffner (1), N-acetyl-L-cysteine has been advocated as a useful mucolytic agent in the management of bland and purulent lower respiratory-tract secretions. We have recently found N-acetyl-L-cysteine to be useful as a liquid irrigant in the treatment of mucous impaction when delivered by direct bronchial instillation through the fiberoptic bronchoscope. We report here the excellent clinical responses to this therapy in two patients with status asthmaticus and one with total mucous impaction of the left main-stem bronchus.A 20-year-old woman was admitted to the intensive care unit in status asthmaticus. Therapy that included parenteral terbutaline, aminophylline,...References1. SHEFFNER A: The reduction in vitro in viscosity of mucoprotein solutions by a new mucolytic agent, N-acetyl-L-cysteine. Ann NY Acad Sci 106:298-310, 1963 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. LIBERMAN J: The appropriate use of mucolytic agents. Am J Med 49:1-4, 1970 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. BERNSTEINAUSDENMORE IR: Iatrogenic bronchospasm occurring during clinical trials of a new mucolytic agent, acetylcysteine. Dis Chest 46:469-473, 1964 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. DANO G: Bronchospasm caused by acetylcysteine in children with bronchial asthma. Acta Allergol (Kbh) 26:181-190, 1971 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: National Naval Medical Center Bethesda, Maryland PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byVENTILATION OF PATIENTS WITH ASTHMA AND OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG DISEASERefractory Asthma, Part 2: Airway Interventions and ManagementTreatment of Critical Status Asthmaticus in ChildrenAIRWAY MANAGEMENT IN RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIESIntratracheal N-acetylcysteine use in infants with chronic lung diseaseMechanical ventilation in patients with acute severe asthmaBaseline Assessment in Language: A Book-centred ApproachSaturated heterocycles, 75. Preparation of tetracyclic thiophene derivatives with bridgehead nitrogen. Synthesis of polymethylenethieno[2,3?d]dihydropyrrolo-, tetrahydropyrido- and tetrahydroazepino[1,2?a]pyrimidin-4-ones and -4-thionesEvaluation and Management of Acute Asthma 1 May 1978Volume 88, Issue 5Page: 656-656KeywordsIntensive care units Issue Published: 1 May 1978 PDF downloadLoading ...