Abstract
Background
An assessment of the presence and the degree of reversibility of airflow obstruction is clinically important in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, the time responses of spirometric parameters in response to bronchodilator have not been well investigated.
Methods
We studied 15 patients with asthma. Spirometric and mini-Wright peak expiratory flow measurements were performed at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after using single dose(200 µg) of inhaled bronchodilator, salbutamol.
Results
The mean values of forced expiratory volume in one second(FEV1) and forced vital capicaty(FVC) were significantly increased at 60 minutes after using bronchodilator in comparison to 15 minutes. And peak expiratory flow rate measured by either mass flow sensor or mini-Wright peak flow meter were significantly increased at 45 minutes after using bronchodilator in comparison to 15 minutes.