LONG-TERM ATROVENT TREATMENT OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE BRONCHITIS

AIM: The study of effects of long-term ipratropium bromide on the course of chronic obstructive bronchitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3-month atrovent monotherapy (3-6 doses daily) was performed in 19 patients with verified chronic obstructive bronchitis of moderate severity. Monitoring consisted of symptoms registration, pickflowmetry (two times a day), external respiration measurements. RESULTS: Atropen produced a positive trend in all the clinical symptoms, course of viral infections, exercise tolerance, bronchial permeability, respiratory capacity. The highest atrovent efficacy was recorded in patients with chronic bronchitis of smokers and chronic bronchitis in tracheobronchial diskinesia. No side effects were observed. CONCLUSION: Basic atrovent monotherapy modifies the course of chronic obstructive bronchitis and can be recommended for secondary prophylaxis of this disease.