[Measurement of the effect of a bronchodilator agent]

Schweiz Rundsch Med Prax. 1990 May 29;79(22):688-90.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Response in a bronchodilator must be expressed by the combining the largest amplitude of response with the highest reproducibility. The forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) meets these conditions and thus represents the best test. The bronchodilator response is commonly expressed in percent of the initial FEV1. Through a mathematical bias, this method overestimates the response in the most severely obstructed subjects. Expressing the bronchodilator response in percent of predicted FEV1 eliminates this distortion and must be preferred.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Airway Obstruction / drug therapy
  • Bronchi / drug effects*
  • Bronchodilator Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bronchodilator Agents / therapeutic use
  • Forced Expiratory Volume* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate / drug effects

Substances

  • Bronchodilator Agents