Bronchodilator Therapy

Abstract

(First of Two Parts)*There may be as many different therapy programs for bronchospasm as there are physicians treating asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. This variety of programs results from the recent introduction of many new bronchodilator drugs, varying preferences of physicians and different responses by patients. We will review briefly recent information about the pathophysiology of bronchoconstriction, discuss the actions of the most useful bronchodilator drugs (listed in Table 1 ) and present a strategy for progressive treatment of increasing degrees of bronchospasm.Pathophysiology of BronchospasmThe abnormalities in the airways during an asthmatic attack include smooth-muscle spasm, plugging with viscid mucus . . .