Thorax
-
Randomized Controlled Trial
Combined physiological effects of bronchodilators and hyperoxia on exertional dyspnoea in normoxic COPD.
Studies examining the physiological interactions of oxygen (O(2)) and bronchodilators (BD) during exercise in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should provide new insights into mechanisms of exercise intolerance. We examined the effects of O(2) and BD, alone and in combination, on dyspnoea, ventilation (e), breathing pattern, operating lung volumes, and exercise endurance. ⋯ By combining the benefits of BD (reduced hyperinflation) and O(2) (reduced ventilatory drive), additive effects on exercise endurance were observed in patients with normoxic COPD.