[The effect of bronchodilators in aerosol form on pulmonary function in patients with pulmonary emphysema]

Abstract

The effects of inhaling 400 micrograms of fenoterol were investigated in patients with clinical and radiological evidence of pulmonary emphysema. Pulmonary function tests were consistent with emphysema in all patients. There was a small rise in the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), but there was a much greater increase in forced vital capacity (FVC). There was not consistent change in the FEV1/FVC ratio after fenoterol administration and this ratio is misleading as an indicator of bronchodilator responsiveness in patients with emphysema. Symptomatic improvement after fenoterol is thus a valuable addition to treatment in patients with pulmonary emphysema and the response to treatment is best judged by measuring the improvement in FVC.