Guideline for the management of acute asthma in adults: 2013 update

Acute asthma treatment guidelines: Reducing morbidity and mortality in South Africa

“…The guidelines that appear in this edition of the SAMJ [11,12] are consistent with international guidelines for the treatment of acute asthma and have been simplified for ease of implementation in all healthcare settings in SA. While it is disappointing that no new or novel interventions have been developed for acute asthma, current treatment strategies are effective in the vast majority of patients, especially when initiated early in the asthma attack.…”

“…[11,12] These guidelines are designed to ensure best practices for the care of children or adults with acute asthma, and they also recommend implementation of long-term controller medication. The guidelines emphasise better utilisation of inhaled bronchodilators (beta-2-agonists and ipratropium bromide) and oxygen, and immediate administration of oral or intravenous corticosteroids.…”

Asthma guidelines: Why aminophylline?

“…To the Editor: While it is always encouarging to see new clinical guidelines to help direct therapy for important clinical conditions, the 'Guidelines for the management of acute asthma in adults' [1] are disappointing in two regards.…”

Editor's Choice

“…Two guidelines on the management of asthma, in adults and children, are offered as Parts 2 and 3 of this month's SAMJ, [9,10] with a contextual editorial from the country's leading physicians in the field. [11] JS…”