Effects of Cardioselective β-blockers on Dynamic Hyperinflation in COPD

Summary

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at greater risk of suffering from diseases for which beta-blockers may be indicated and effective. Clinicians remain hesitant to administer beta-blockers to COPD patients for fear of adverse effects on lung function. However, cardioselective beta-blockers therapy led to a non-significant worsening of resting expiratory flow limitation measured by the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) as compared to placebo. But, the FEV1 appears to be a crude estimate bronchial obstruction in COPD. Importantly, the effects of cardioselective beta-blockers on dynamic hyperinflation, a subtle marker of bronchial obstruction, remain unknown. Thus, a prospective placebo-controlled study assessing the effects of short-term cardioselective beta-blocker therapy on dynamic hyperinflation in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD is needed.

Timeline

Start

2008-06

Primary completion

2010-09

Completion

2010-10

Drugs

Indications