[Comparison of beta-2-agonist and beclomethasone effects on potassium levels, heart action and pulmonary ventilation parameters in patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis].

The main goal of asthma treatment has usually been to maintain normal air potency with bronchodilators. A prompt improvement in physiologic measures of expiratory flow can be observed after administration beta-2-agonists or steroids. The present study aimed to assay the influence of fenoterol or beclomethasone therapy on the pulmonary ventilation (VC, FEV1, FEV1%), the heart action (heart rate, QT interval, 24 hours ECG) and the potassium balance in examined group. 20 patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis were divided on two group (A and B). Group A consisted 10 subjects and patients were treated with fenoterol, the second group (Group B) consisted 10 subjects too, and patients were treated with beclomethasone. After five days treatment in all subjects an increase VC, FEV1 and FEV1% were observed. In group A (inhalation of fenoterol) we observed: 1--the significant increase of heart rate, QT interval, and frequency of cardiac arrhythmias and 2--significant decrease plasma potassium levels. In group B we didn't observed a significant changes in heart function and potassium levels. We concluded that nebulization of fenoterol, even in low doses, required control of the plasma potassium concentration and the evaluation of the heart action.