A dose-ranging study of tiotropium delivered via Respimat Soft Mist Inhaler or HandiHaler in COPD patients.

This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind within device, parallel-group, dose-ranging study. COPD patients (n = 202; 86% male; mean age: 61 years) were randomized to receive tiotropium 1.25 microg, 2.

The effect of tiotropium on hyperinflation and exercise capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by airflow limitation, which results in the progressive development of dyspnea and exercise limitation.

Objective And Methods: To compare the effect of tiotropium with placebo on forced vital capacity (FVC) in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD and lung hyperinflation, using exercise endurance, dyspnea and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as secondary endpoints. One hundred patients were randomized to receive either tiotropium 18 mug once daily or placebo for 12 weeks.

Effects of cold dry air nasal stimulation on airway mucosal blood flow in humans.

Several studies have demonstrated that nasal challenges can induce reflex responses in the respiratory system. Some authors have described bronchoconstriction and modification of the pattern of breathing following nasal challenges by irritants and cold air. We propose to determine the effect of nasal stimulation with cold dry air on airway mucosal blood flow (Qaw) in the proximal tracheal bronchial tree of healthy humans.

Airway blood flow responses to temperature and humidity of inhaled air.

We determined the effect of breathing cold dry air (-39 degrees C, 0.1% relative humidity, RH) and warm humid air (43 degrees C, 100% RH) on airway mucosal blood flow (Qaw) in normal human subjects (n = 8, age 25-53 years) at rest. Qaw was measured with a dimethylether uptake technique which reflects blood flow in the mucosa of large airways corresponding to a 50 ml anatomical dead-space segment extending distally from the trachea.

Pulmonary gas exchange capacity is reduced during normovolaemic haemodilution in healthy human subjects.

Purpose: To test the hypothesis that a physiological compensatory mechanism maintains respiratory gas exchange during normovolaemic haemodilution.

Methods: Pulmonary gas exchange capacity was evaluated in seven healthy subjects by measuring the lung diffusion of carbon monoxide (DLCO). During the measurement, various breath-holding times, inspiratory volumes, and sitting or supine positions, were randomly selected in an attempt to alter pulmonary capillary perfusion.

Is the mode of action of almitrine bismesylate dose dependent?

In order to assess whether different doses and/or plasma levels of almitrine bismesylate (ABM) could induce preferential effects on ventilation or on lung perfusion, we performed a single-blind placebo-controlled study of ABM treatment with different dosages (0.75, 1.5 and 2.

[Pregnancy and the respiratory function].

The respiratory function of pregnant women is changed for more than one reason. There is a mechanical effect due to the increase in the uterine volume and the elevation of the diaphragm. However, there are only modest functional consequences, because the pulmonary volumes are only little changed, with the exception of a reduction in the functional residual capacity.

[Underestimation of bronchial obstruction in sarcoidosis].

We compared the frequency of airway obstruction in 27 patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis using both spirography (FEV1, FEF25-75) and plethysmography (Gus50). FEF25-75 was abnormal in 5 patients and Gus in 8 patients; however, only 3 of them showed abnormal values of both parameters. In the 2 patients with only a spirographic obstruction we observed an increase in static lung compliance.