CARDIAC-ARRHYTHMIAS AFTER INHALED BRONCHODILATORS IN PATIENTS WITH COPD AND ISCHEMIC-HEART-DISEASE

Selective beta2-agonist aerosols may produce significant cardiovascula r effects. In the present study we used Holter monitoring to compare t he arrhythmogenic effects of inhaled terbutaline (TE), a beta2-agonist , with that of ipratropium bromide (IB), a nonabsorbable cholinergic d rug. Fourteen patients with concomitant obstructive lung disease, isch emic heart disease, and complaints of postinhalation palpitations were studied in a random, double-blind, cross-over fashion. Both drugs sig nificantly improved vital capacity and FEV1. Heart rate and the freque ncy of premature beats were not significantly affected by the bronchod ilators. We conclude that no clear connection between inhaled bronchod ilators and arrhythmias could be demonstrated.