[Effect of the I(f) channel blocker ivabradine on the parameters of external respiration function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in its stable course period].

Aim: To evaluate the effect of the I(f) channel blocker ivabradine on bronchial patency and the volume parameters of external respiration function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in remission in order to determine whether the drug may be used in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) concurrent with COPD.

Subjects And Methods: Heart rate, bronchial patency, and lung volume were studied by body plethysmography in 59 patients with COPD before and 14 days after administration of ivabradine in a daily dose of 10 mg.

Results: The I(f) channel blocker ivabradine that is a highly selective bradycardiac agent fails to affect the velocity and volume parameters of external respiration function, thus it may be used to treat CHD concurrent with COPD.

[Effects of systemic glucocorticoid hormones on functional indices of the respiratory system in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during acute phase].

Aim: To evaluate influence of the treatment with systemic glucocorticoid hormones (SGH) during acute exacerbation of moderate and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on parameters of respiratory function.

Material And Methods: A total of 66 patients with severe COPD were included in the study. Airway resistance and lung volumes were measured with plethysmography, lung diffusion capacity - with a single breath method (TLCO SB) and saturation of blood with oxygen was measured with a method of pulseoximetry at admission of patients to a hospital and on day 14 of SGH treatment.