UNILATERAL PROVOKED BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN MAN*

Abstract

One-sided "asthma" was provoked in two asthmatic subjects with a solution of horse epidermal epithelium inhaled as aerosol into one lung during bronchospirometry. The presence of asthma was demonstrated by a reduction of ventilation and oxygen uptake and a prolonged nitrogen elimination time during oxygen breathing. The uneveness of distribution of inspired gas did not increase significantly, but the ventilatory efficiency decreased, probably as a result of an increased dead space/tidal volume ratio in the provoked lung. No signs of asthma were noted in the unprovoked lung. Epinephrine abolished the asthmatic reaction within 15 seconds, suggesting that bronchospasm was the main causative factor for this kind of asthma. No evidence of a change in "static" compliance during asthma was found. The effect of the unavoidable anesthetic agents is discussed.