Reversibilidad espirométrica en la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica: efecto diferencial del salbutamol sobre el volumen espiratorio forzado del primer segundo y el volumen pulmonar / Spirometric reversibility to Salbutamol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): differential effects on FEV1 and on lung volumes
After salbutamol, 39/40 patients exhibited a clinically significant increase in volumes (SVC, FVC or IC ×10 percent predicted). A significant increase in FEV1 (×10 percent predicted) was observed in only 13 patients.
Conclusions:
Our results demonstrate that changes in lung volumes, and consequently in dynamic lung hyperinflation, take place more frequently than changes in maximal expiratory flows during the spirometric test in patients with COPD. Assessment of spirometric reversibility based only on changes in FEV1 underestimates the effect of bronchodilatordrugs in these patients.