Tiotropium, a novel muscarinic M3 receptor antagonist, improved symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease complicated by chronic heart failure.

A 77-year-old man was referred to hospital because of dyspnea on exertion. Although the patient had been fully medicated for chronic heart failure (CHF) caused by hypertensive heart disease, the echo-estimated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level had continued to be high for at least 2 years. Pulmonary functional examination revealed concomitant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Because beta-agonists were expected to exacerbate the CHF, inhalation of tiotropium, a non-beta-adrenergic bronchodilator and novel M3 muscarinic receptor antagonist, was used to treat the COPD. Not only did the pulmonary function improved but the treatment also safely ameliorated CHF signs including LVEDP and plasma BNP.