Comparison of acute bronchodilatory effects of inhaled salbutamol and combivent in mustard gas victims

ABSTRACT

A randomized cross-over study was conducted to evaluate the effects of inhaled salbutamol alone vs.a combination of salbutamol plus ipratropium bromide administered by a single metered-dose inhaler. The patient material comprised fourteen mustard gas casualties, suffering from moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The mean age was 34 +/- 2.7 years and mean baseline FEV1<65% predicted. The patients were randomized on two separate days to receive either two puffs of salbutamol [200 micro g] or two puffs of salbutamol plus ipratropium [Combivent] by inhalation. On study days, forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1], forced vital capacity [FVC], and maximal mid-expiratory flow rate [MMEF], were measured at administration. The results obtained show that Combivent produces a significantly greater increase in all three parameters measured, and that the greatest differences observed were at 180 minutes after drug inhalation. We observed that the combined inhalation of salbutamol and ipratropium provided greater bronchodilation than salbutamol alone