Frequency of isoproterenol hydrochloride-induced cardiac arrhythmia in 19 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a prospective study.

The incidence of adrenergic-induced arrhythmias was studied in 19 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease uncomplicated by respiratory failure or cardiac desease. The effects of isoproterenol hydrochloride and a placebo were studied, using a randomized double blind technique and continuous monitoring of the cardiac rhythm. Two of the patients had episodes of arrhythmia associated only with nebulization of isoproterenol hydrochloride.