PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - F Gigliotti
AU  - G Gurrieri
AU  - R Duranti
AU  - M Gorini
AU  - G Scano
TI  - Effects of intravenous broxaterol on respiratory drive and neuromuscular coupling in COPD patients
AID  - 10.1183/09031936.93.06030371
DP  - 1993 Mar 01
TA  - European Respiratory Journal
PG  - 371--377
VI  - 6
IP  - 3
4099  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/6/3/371.short
4100  - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/6/3/371.full
SO  - Eur Respir J1993 Mar 01; 6
AB  - Broxaterol, a new selective beta 2-agonist, has been shown to exert inotropic effects on both fresh and fatigued canine diaphragm. We evaluated the effect of broxaterol on the activation and force output of the respiratory muscles in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We studied 9 patients with moderate to severe COPD. Each patient was infused with saline and Broxaterol (200 micrograms) in saline alternately. We measured lung volumes, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), breathing pattern, P0.1, respiratory muscle EMG (diaphragm, EMGd, and parasternal, EMGp) and P0.1/EMGd ratio. Measurements were made under control conditions and at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min after each infusion. Broxaterol, but not saline, resulted in a slight but significant increase in vital capacity (VC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and MIP, and a decrease in functional residual capacity (FRC). Breathing pattern did not change, while EMG significantly decreased, and P0.1/EMGd significantly increased in 5 of the 9 patients after broxaterol. These data seem to indicate that by partially unloading the respiratory muscles, broxaterol results in decreased muscle activation (EMG). Increase in chest wall neuromuscular coupling (P0.1/EMGd) may also be observed.