[(Whole body plethysmographic studies on the bronchospasmolytic effect of injectabls drugs. Comparison of aminophylline, diprophylline and hexoprenaline)].

The bronchodilator effect of intravenously administered drugs was tested by whole bodyplethysmography in 24 patients with chronic obstructive airway disease over a period of 60 min. Subsequent to this, another bronchodilator was applied by a metered dose inhaler. Aminophylline (0,24 g i.v.) was followed by a decrease of airway resistance to a maximum of 73,04% of the base line value after 30 min. and to 76,33% after 60 min; inhalation of fenoterol (0,4 mg) caused a further decrease to 47,33% after 20 min. Diprophylline (0,28 gi.v.) produced only a slight decrease to a maximum of 95,75% after 20 min. and to 99,54% after 60 min.; fenoterol (0,4mg) reduced airway resistance to 55,29%. Hexoprenaline (0,005 mg i.v.) was followed by a decrease to a maximum of 74,71% after 5 min. and to 92,83% after 60 min.; ipratropiumbromide (0,08 mg) caused a further decrease to 54,92%. A considerable increase of heart rate, from 89,25/min. to 106,15/min. occurred only after hexoprenaline. For intravenous bronchodilator therapy we prefer aminophylline. Optimal bronchodilation however, was seen only after further application of fenoterol or ipratropiumbromide by a metered dose inhaler.