SummaryStatus asthmaticus is a dramatic, but highly reversible situation. It often occurs in still young patients and may induce death by respiratory failure and cirulatory collapse.Precipitating factors, clinical manifestations and treatment are reviewed.Besides antibiotics, bronchodilators and corticoids, the authors insist on the value of resuscitation measures : bronchial drainage, correction of acidosis and most of all artificial ventilation after endotracheal intubation.Early and attentive resuscitation measures can save the life of almost any patient suffering from status asthmaticus.