Long-term effects of almitrine bismesylate in COPD patients with chronic hypoxaemia.
BACKGROUND
Almitrine bismesylate (AB) is a peripheral chemoreceptor agonist which is believed to improve oxygenation of COPD patients with chronic hypoxaemia, probably by improving the ventilation perfusion mismatch. We studied the long-term effects of AB in COPD patients with chronic hypoxaemia.


METHODS



METHODS
Prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Eight hundred bed teaching hospital with a catchment population of 350,000 inhabitants. PATIENT RECRUITMENT: COPD outpatients consulting between September 95 and September 99.


METHODS
(1) COPD (FEV1 < 50%). (2) PaO2 < or = 65 mmHg. (3) Stable arterial blood gases (ABG), spirometry (S) and clinical state.


METHODS
Asthma, restrictive disease, sleep apnoea syndrome, advanced renal or hepatic disease, peripheral neuropathy, use of respiratory stimulants or psychotrophic drugs.


METHODS
AB 1 mg/kg/day (weight < 75 kg = 50 mg/day; weight > or = 75 kg = 100 mg/day) in an intermittent schedule with resting periods of 1 month after the third, 6th and 9th months during 1 year.


METHODS
Stabilisation period: S, ABG. Run-in period: S, ABG, 6-min walking test (WT), nocturnal pulse oximetry (NP) and quality of life evaluation (CRQ). Third, 6th and 9th months: S, ABG. End of the study: S, ABG, WT, NP, CRQ.


METHODS
ANOVA for repeated measurements.


RESULTS
Two hundred and eighty-nine patients were evaluated and 81 were included in the study. Sixty-six were followed for 6 months, 53 for 9 months and 42 for 1 year. Almitrine and placebo groups did not present significant differences in ABG and S in the 6th, 9th and 12th months. Evolution in WT, NP and CRQ were similar in the two groups. No relevant side-effects were detected: only two patients stopped treatment (one placebo and one AB).


CONCLUSIONS
In an intermittent schedule, although well tolerated, at doses of 1 mg/kg/day, AB was not effective in long-term treatment of chronic hypoxemia in COPD patients.
Sans-Torres
J
J
S.Pneumologia, H. de Sabadell (Corporació Parc Taulí), UAB, Barcelona, Spain.
Domingo
C
C
Morón
A
A
Rué
M
M
Marín
A
A
Saas-Torres
J
J
D000368:Aged; D015765:Almitrine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D010313:Partial Pressure; D011446:Prospective Studies; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011788:Quality of Life; D019141:Respiratory System Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014797:Vital Capacity / Q000502:physiology
D019141:Respiratory System Agents; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D015765:Almitrine; D010100:Oxygen