Predictive nomograms for forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, and peak expiratory flow rate, in Chinese adults and children.

A survey of three indices of ventilatory capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), was undertaken on 3490 Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong. Nomograms have been constructed for the prediction of these three indices for subjects between the ages of 5 and 75 years.

A survey of ventilatory capacity in Chinese subjects in Hong Kong.

A survey of three indices of ventilatory capacity (forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV1; forced vital capacity, FVC; and peak expiratory flow rate, PEFR) was carried out on 3490 Chinese inhabitants of Hong Kong aged between 5 and 97 years. The results are compared with those of previous surveys of ventilatory capacity in a variety of ethnic groups. Our results confirm previous findings that the indices FEV1 and FVC are proportional to the square of the height of the subject, but we have found that PEFR is proportional to height itself.

Inhibition of artifically-induced asthma by reproterol ('Bronchospasmin').

A study was carried out in 25 patients with asthma caused by exposure to occupational antigens to investigate the effectiveness of reproterol in protecting and terminating the bronchoconstrictor response to inhaled antigens. The results of lung function tests showed that the immediate reactions to the provocation test could be reversed by reproterol given either at the time of the reaction or shortly before challenge.

Lung function in young persons after spinal fusion for scoliosis.

The long-term changes in vital capacity and in total lung capacity after spinal fusion for 43 scoliotic patients are described. The values recorded were seldom lower after surgery but did not show any marked subsequent increases with patient growth. Subsequent increases in volumes are less marked in the group of patients with paralytic scoliosis.

A clinical trial of choline theophyllinate versus salbutamol with placebo control.

Using a randomized double-blind procedure, seventeen patients with chronic airways obstruction completed a placebo-controlled study to compare bronchodilator effects of single doses of choline theophyllinate 400 mg and salbutamol 4 mg. As determined by a range of spirometric measurements, the effects of the two drugs were remarkably similar and there were no statistically significant differences in any of the parameters measured. Both drugs produced highly significant differences in comparison with placebo response.

A study of pulmonary artery pressure, electrocardiography, and mechanocardiography in thoracic scoliosis.

Cardiac catheterisation was carried out in 40 patients with thoracic scoliosis in order to measure the pulmonary artery pressure. Statistical correlations were calculated between these results and the electrocardiographic and mechanocardiographic findings determined on a separate occasion. The pulmonary artery pressure was normal in 72% of subjects.

The bronchodilator effect of NAB 365.

1. Dose response relationships for salbutamol and a new bronchodilator drug NAB 365 have been obtained in patients with reversible airways obstruction. These show that the latter is about one hundred times more potent than the former.

An account of the treatment of five chronic asthmatic patients.

An account is given of the progress of five patients with intrinsic asthma who have received terbutaline continuously to control airways obstruction over a period of up to 2 years. One aim of this investigation was to find out whether there is any evidence of the development of tachyphylaxis to this drug. No such evidence was found.

Comparison between the bronchodilator and cardiovascular effects of inhaling 0.5 mg. rimiterol ('Pulmadil') and 0.2 mg. salbutamol.

A comparison between the acute effects of rimiterol (0.5 mg) and salbutamol (0.2 mg.

Prevention of exercise-induced asthma by indoramin.

Indoramin, an alpha-adrenoceptor blocking drug, has been found to prevent the occurrence of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Evidence is provided in two cases that this was not due to the antihistamine properties of indoramin.