A patient with severe asthma and chronic bronchitis presented with bronchospasm and paroxysmal cough refractory to traditional pharmacologic therapy, including aminophylline, prednisone, and other sympathomimetic agents. Concurrent with the addition of aerosolized atropine to his regimen, this patient demonstrated marked improvement in pulmonary function and clinical status. Pulmonary function response in this patient to single challenges of isoetharine and atropine was compared from tests occurring within a period of five months. Much greater improvement was noted with atropine. Aerosolized atropine should be considered in treatment of bronchospasm and severe paroxysmal cough.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
KlockLE, MillerTD, MorrisAH, WatanabeS, DickmanM.A comparative study of atropine sulfate and isoproterenol hydrochloride in chronic bronchitis. Am Rev Respir Dis1975;112:371–76.
2.
PetrieGR, PalmerKNV. Comparison of aerosol ipratropium bromide and salbutamol in chronic bronchitis and asthma. Br Med J1975;1:430–32.
3.
MarlinGE, BushDE, BerendN.Comparison of ipratropium bromide and fenoterol in asthma and chronic bronchitis. Br J Clin Pharmacol1978;6:547–49.
