title: [Bronchial hyperreactivity and heart failure].
abstract: A moderate to severe bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine is frequently observed in patients with left heart failure. This bronchial obstruction can be prevented by inhalation of methoxamine, an alpha-adrenergic vasoconstrictor agent. The mechanisms of this hyperresponsiveness include a direct vasodilating effect of methacholine on bronchial vessels and a contractile effect of an airway smooth muscles. This bronchoconstriction is the consequence of a direct effect of methacholine and a contractile effect of an extravased mediators and of an increased vagal tone due to the stimulation a bronchial afferent nerves. The role of bronchial hyperresponsiveness in cardiac dyspnea is currently under investigations.
authors.affiliation: Service des maladies cardiovasculaires, hôpital Cochin, Paris.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cabanes
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008688:Methacholine Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D008688:Methacholine Compounds
vernacular_title: Hyperréactivité bronchique et insuffisance cardiaque.