Summary
It is now well established that in almost all cases of chronic non-specific lung disease, with significant parenchymal damage, administration of a bronchodilator by any route causes a fall in the arterial oxygen tension. This has been ascribed to increased perfusion of poorly ventilated areas in the diseased lung, i. e. increase in venous admixture. However, we previously noted that intravenous administration of the spasmolytic drug, papaverine, elevated arterial oxygen tension in these patients. Accordingly, papaverine was added, in various concentrations, to isoprenaline inhalations given to nine such patients; the mean fall in Pot was 1.3 mmHg., (five showing no fall or an increase), which compares favourably with a decrease of 8.4 mmHg. in a similar group having isoprenaline alone.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chapman, T. T., and D.T.D. Hughes: Hypoxia in bronchial asthma. Brit. Med. J. 1967 11, 639.
— Arterial oxygen tensions and bronchodilators in chronic non-specific lung disease. Thorax 22, 481 (1967).
— Increasing hypoxia in chronic lung disease following administration of a bronchodilator. J. Irish. med. Ass. LIX, 354, 184 (1966)
Daly, J. J., and P. Howard: Effect of intravenous aminophylline on the arterial oxygen saturation in chronic bronchitis. Thorax 20, 324–326 (1965).
Farmer, J.B., and E.A. Chick: Bronchodilator actions of papaverine in the anaesthetized guinea-pig. J. Pharm. (Lond.) 19, 124 (1967).
Halmagyi, D. F., and J. E. Cotes: Reduction in systemic blood oxygen as a result of procedures affecting the pulmonary circulation in patients with chronic pulmonary disease. Clin. Sci. 18, 475–489 (1959).
Herxheimer, H. G. J.: Management of bronchial asthma. p. 63. London: Butterworth 1952.
Lockhart, A., J. Lissac, D. Salmon, C. Zappacosta, and M. Benismail: Effects of Isoproterenol on the pulmonary circulation in obstructive airways disease. Clin. Sci. 32, 177–187 (1967).
Nadel, J. A.: Structure-function relationships in the airways: bronchoconstriction mediated via vagus nerves or bronchial arteries; peripheral lung constriction mediated via pulmonary arteries. Med. thorac. 22, 231–242 (1965).
Nims, R. G., J. W. Severinghaus, and J. H. Comroe, Jr. Reflex hyperpnea induced by papaverine acting upon the carotid and aortic bodies. J. Pharmacol. exp. Ther. 109, 58–61 (1953).
Palmer, K.N.V., and M.L. Diament: Spirometry and blood-gas tensions in bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. Lancet 1967 11, 383.
— Effect of aerosol Isoprenaline on blood-gas tensions in severe bronchial asthma. Lancet 1967 11, 1232.
Payne, J. P., and D. W. Hill: Symposium on oxygen measurements in blood tissues. London: Churchill 1966.
Rahn, H., and W. O. Fenn: A graphical analysis of the respiratory gas exchange. The O2 — CO2 diagram. Washington, D. C.: Amer. Physiol. Soc. 1962.
Rees, H. A., R. C. Borthwick, J. S. Millar, and K. W. Donald: Aminophylline in bronchial asthma. Lancet 1967 II, 1167.
West, J. B.: Ventilation/blood flow and gas exchange. Oxford: Blackwell Scientific Publications 1965.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chapman, T.T., Dowd, D. Bronchodilator combinations and arterial oxygen tensions in chronic non-specific lung disease. Pharmacol. Clin. 1, 107–109 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404654
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00404654