Abstract
The reversibility of airflow is usually a defining characteristic of asthma, but not the other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema and bronchitis. However, airflow obstruction associated with COPD may be partially reversible, and many individuals with COPD will show an improvement in airflow following inhalation of either β-agonists or anticholinergics. Furthermore, patients who fail to respond to β-agonists may still have improved airflow following therapy with anticholinergics. As airflow can be improved in patients with COPD with the use of bronchodilators, this form of therapy has become a clinical mainstay in the management of COPD. Nevertheless, a number of questions regarding the use of bronchodilators in COPD remain. This report assesses current bronchodilator therapy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 282-285 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | European Respiratory Review |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 39 |
State | Published - 1996 |
Keywords
- Bronchodilators
- Ipratropium bromide
- Smoking
- β-agonists
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine