RANDALL C. BELL, M.D.; R. CURTIS MULLINS III, M.D.; LEONARD G. WEST, P.A.; ROMEO T. BACHAND, M.D., Ph.D.; W. G. JOHANSON Jr., M.D.
Almitrine bismesylate was studied for its effects on hypoxemia in 67 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease in a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Arterial PO2 rose by 11.2 mm Hg (p < 0.05) in 21 patients receiving 100 mg twice daily and by 6.0 mm Hg (p < 0.05) in 22 patients receiving 50 mg twice daily. Arterial PCO2 decreased by 3.8 mm Hg (p < 0.05) in the group receiving 100 mg twice daily but was unchanged in patients receiving 50 mg twice daily. Lung function was unaltered except for a slight increase in forced mid-expiratory flow in both dosage groups (p < 0.05). The major side effect was the unexplained worsening of dyspnea, which occurred in 4 patients (19%) receiving 100 mg twice daily, 2 (9%) receiving 50 mg twice daily group, and 1 (4%) receiving placebo. Almitrine bismesylate improves arterial blood gas values in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease, apparently by reducing intrapulmonary ventilation-perfusion mismatching, and appears to be useful in the long-term management of these patients.
BELL RC, MULLINS RC, WEST LG, et al. The Effect of Almitrine Bismesylate on Hypoxemia in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Ann Intern Med. 1986;105:342–346. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-105-3-342
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Published: Ann Intern Med. 1986;105(3):342-346.
DOI: 10.7326/0003-4819-105-3-342
Chronic Obstructive Airway Disease, Pulmonary/Critical Care.
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