Acute Effects of Aerosolized Acetylcysteine Upon Spirometric Measurements in Subjects With and Without Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

¹ Pulmonary Section, Department of Medicine, Georgetown University Medical Center

Spirometric measurements were carried out in 50 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and ten normal subjects before and after nebulization of 2 ml. of 10 per cent acetylcysteine. In neither group did nebulization induce a significant change in vital capacity, maximum breathing capacity, one second timed vital capacity or mid-expiratory flow rate. It is concluded that this dosage of aerosolized acetylcysteine does not cause significant bronchospasm. However, further data are needed to establish the effects of this material when used chronically as an aerosol or when repetitively instilled directly into the tracheobronchial tree.