Bronchodilator and side effects of different modes of administration of metaproterenol: inhaled, oral, and in combination.

Twenty subjects with clinically stable asthma were treated in double-blind crossover manner with inhaled and oral metaproterenol, alone and in combination. The combination of inhaled and oral metaproterenol resulted in a greater degree of bronchodilation than either inhaled or oral alone. Inhaled metaproterenol was not associated with any significant side effects.

Fenoterol: clinical trial of a new long acting bronchodilator.

The bronchodilator and side effects of fenoterol and isoproterenol were evaluated in 19 asthmatic adults in a double-blind study. The study demonstrated that fenoterol has an onset of action which is just as rapid as isoproterenol and a duration of action that is markedly superior. Side effects were minimal.

The First Second Timed vital capacity and the course of obstructive lung diseases.

Previous work has shown that with increasing airway obstruction in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the decrement in the maximum midexpiratory flow (MMEF) is exponential. Therefore, with severe obstructive disease the decrease in the MMEF as the disease progresses is difficult to discern. This work points out that the fall in first second timed vital capacity (FEV1/FVC x 100) is linear through the course of the disease and, therefore, the decrement, in absolute terms, continues unaltered regardless of how severe the obstruction becomes.

Pulmonary function in former alcoholics.

Pulmonary function was evaluated in 44 former alcoholics (abstinence, 0.5 to 32 years) without cardiac or specific pulmonary disease. All were members of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Detection of acute effects of cigarette smoking on airway dynamics: A critical and comparative study of pulmonary function tests.

In an effort to determine which measure of airway dynamics was the most sensitive to airway obstruction, comparisons were made between a variety of tests. Twenty cigarette smokers were studied both before and immediately after smoking a cigarette. The maximum midexpiratory flow (FEV25-75) and the FEV1/FVC per cent were abnormal in the largest number of cases.

Pulmonary function tests and the diagnosis of bronchial asthma.

The uncertainties which combine to make the physiological profile of bronchial asthma difficult to define are discussed in this article. Although the clinician may take comfort when the physiologist has substantiated his diagnosis, he should not defer to the physiologist when pulmonary function testing fails to support his assessment of the patient.

The uses of simple spirometry.

The use of spirometry to determine pulmonary function has been complicated by the proliferation of measurements possible from the expiratory effort. Non-pulmonary physiologists face the problem of making a choice between a multiplicity of spirometric tests. Some guidelines for ventilatory testing are offered.