title: Long term haemodynamic, pulmonary function and symptomatic effects of pirbuterol in COPD.
abstract: Haemodynamic studies at rest and during exercise together with radionuclide ventriculography, pulmonary function and clinical well-being assessment were evaluated in ten patients with COPD and secondary pulmonary hypertension (mean PAP 25 mm Hg), before and after 6 months therapy with pirbuterol 20 mg thrice daily. Despite the continued pharmacological action of pirbuterol on the heart and systemic circulation during peak pirbuterol levels at 6 months, no significant effect on the pulmonary circulation was observed. Seven patients reported an improvement in the level of fatigue, the partial pressure of carbon dioxide fell significantly (6.5 +/- 0.9 to 6.1 +/- 0.9 kPa: P less than 0.01) and there was a slight bronchodilator effect [forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1) 0.60 +/- 0.18 to 0.71 +/- 0.2 1s-1: P less than 0.02] after 6 months. The drug was generally well tolerated but three patients with pre-existing biliary tract disease developed obstructive jaundice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine and Medical Cardiology, Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, U.K.
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Neilly
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tweddel
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hutton
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Banham
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Stevenson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D004983:Ethanolamines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D004983:Ethanolamines; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; C009118:pirbuterol