The effect of aminophylline on cardiac rhythm in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: correlation with serum theophylline levels.
The effect of IV aminophylline on cardiac rhythm of patients with advanced, stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was evaluated with Holter monitoring in 38 males (average age 62 yrs). Serum levels ranged from 7.4 to 18.6 mg/l. Significant improvement in pulmonary functions and blood gases from baseline measurements were observed. New supraventricular tachycardia was seen only in three (8%) of 38 patients. Sixteen (76%) of the 21 patients with insignificant ventricular ectopy (VE) at baseline remained unchanged during therapy. Of the 17 patients who had significant baseline VE, nine (53%) had increased VE and eight (47%) had decreased VE. No symptomatic arrhythmia was observed. Whereas aminophylline in therapeutic dosage failed to provoke VE in arrhythmia-free COPD patients, the effect of aminophylline on pre-existent VE is variable.
D000368:Aged; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008173:Lung Diseases, Obstructive / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood*
D000628:Aminophylline; D013806:Theophylline