Effect of Atropine on the Pulmonary Circulation During Rest and Exercise in Patients with Chronic Airway Obstruction

¹ The Cardiorespiratory Laboratory, Grasslands Hospital., Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City.
² The Cardiorespiratory Laboratory, Grasslands Hospital., Fellow, Westchester Tuberculosis and Public Health Association.
³ The Cardiorespiratory Laboratory, Grasslands Hospital.

The effect of atropine sulfate on pulmonary hemodynamics has been studied in 12 patients with chronic airway obstruction. In eight patients with clinical and physiological evidence of emphysema, there was no significant change of pulmonary artery pressure or cardiac index. In three patients with bronchial asthma, there was some decrease of pulmonary artery pressure and/or increase of cardiac index. In one with emphysema and recent congestive heart failure, there was a dramatic reduction of pulmonary artery pressure and increase of cardiac index.