INHALED IPRATROPIUM BROMIDE AND FENOTEROL BEFORE BRONCHOFIBROSCOPY .2. EFFECT ON DETERIORATION IN LUNG-FUNCTION

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled (rial, fenoterol as a premedicat ion was shown to have better bronchodilative properties, especially on the small airways, than ipratropium bromide or placebo in 181 nonasth matic patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy for diagnostic reaso ns. When the patients were assessed 20 minutes after the procedure, th e deterioration in lung function induced by either the bronchoscopy it self or the lidocaine used as a topical anesthetic was minor in all gr oups, compared with baseline values.