Asthma induced by adrenergic aerosols

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Abstract

Thirty significantly symptomatic asthmatic patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the FEV1 determined 60 minutes following isoproterenol inhalation. One group consisted of 18 patients who had a 10 per cent or greater increase in the 60 minute postisoproterenol FEV1 as compared to base-line levels. Eight patients in this group overused isoproterenol aerosols. Discontinuation of isoproterenol by 6 of these 8 patients and 4 other normal users failed to influence asthmatic symptoms. Of the other 12 patients, 9 had a 60 minute FEV1 near base-line levels, and 3 patients had a precipitous fall in the FEV1 well below base-line levels after 60 minutes. Nine of these 12 patients greatly overused isoproterenol aerosols. Eight patients discontinued the isoproterenol, with dramatic clinical improvement noted immediately in 7. Pulmonary function studies were repeated in 6 of these patients following cessation of aerosol therapy and confirmed the marked improvement. The clinical data confirmed the induction and persistence of asthma as a result of adrenergic aerosol overuse. The pulmonary function data indicated the 60 minute postisoproterenol FEV1 is a reliable method of detecting such patients.

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