Sudden Death During Prolonged Treatment with ACTH

Abstract

A case of sudden death is reported, occurring within one hour after intraven. drip therapy (1 1. of 5% glucose to which 25 mg. of ACTH (Organon) and 240 mg. of euphyllin had been added, intended for administration during 12 hours) had been started in a 24-year-old female patient with a chronic bronchial asthma. This was the 9th weekly intraven. drip treatment after a 6 days'' course of therapy (likewise by the intraven. drip method). The patient died within a few minutes after violent oppression had occurred. No changes other than considerably expanded air-containing lungs were found at autopsy.