The effects of nebulized salbutamol on lung function and exercise tolerance in patients with severe airflow obstruction.

The effects of 10 mg of nebulized salbutamol on lung mechanics and exercise tolerance in 10 patients with severe airflow obstruction are described. All patients were previously considered to have irreversible airflow obstruction as demonstrated by little or no improvement in expiratory flow rates either during a corticosteroid trial or after inhalation of 100 micrograms of isoprenaline. There was a small improvement in expiratory flow rate after nebulized salbutamol but the greatest increases were seen in slow vital capacity, inspiratory capacity, inspiratory flow rates, dynamic compliance during tidal breathing, mid-inspiratory and expiratory pulmonary resistance and exercise tolerance. The mechanism of these effects and their therapeutic significance is discussed.