The physiologic effect of an intravenous glucocorticoid in bronchial asthma.

The intent of this investigation was to determine the acute effect on the airways of a single dose of intravenous corticosteroid in patients with severe bronchospasm. Following the intravenous injection of corticosteroid the initial response occurred at one to two hours and peaked at four hours. Significant changes occurred at four to six hours in central airways and in smaller airways.