Defibrillators are not usually used in patients with asthma, but when an acute asthma attack occurs in a patient with underlying cardiac disease, it may induce malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation, which may necessitate the use of a defibrillator.
An acute asthma attack may present with chest tightness, wheezing, and dyspnea, requiring the administration of oxygen, nebulized short-acting bronchodilators such as salbutamol, terbutaline, and ipratropium bromide, and intravenous or nebulized glucocorticosteroids for rapid symptomatic relief, which generally does not require the application of a defibrillator.
Defibrillators can be used to provide emergency care in patients with a history of underlying cardiac disease in combination with an acute asthma attack and malignant arrhythmias such as ventricular fibrillation. Counter-causal treatment of asthma also needs to be given.
Patients with asthma who experience dyspnea, panic attacks, or cardiac arrest need to seek prompt medical attention for symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a specialist. These medications should be used under the supervision of a physician.