Computed cardiopulmonography: Effects of salbutamol in healthy individuals versus patients with asthma

<bold>Aim:</bold> Salbutamol has multiple effects on the lungs. Computed cardiopulmonography (CCP) is a new method for assessing lung function by evaluating the homogeneity of lung emptying [1]. In order to better understand the responsiveness of measures, we have evaluated the effect of inhaled salbutamol in patients with T2-high asthma and healthy controls. <bold>Methods:</bold> 22 healthy controls (43±24 yr) and 77 patients (57±12 yr) with severe T2-high asthma were studied. All participants underwent a protocol which included CCP (a 12-min test as outlined in [1]) and standard spirometry. Assessments were conducted before and 20 min after the inhalation of salbutamol (400 μg) via a spacer. <bold>Results:</bold> Figure 1 shows the effects of salbutamol on forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV₁) % predicted, and for CCP, a measure of ventilation inhomogeneity (σlnCL) and anatomical deadspace (VD). Salbutamol increased FEV₁ % pred and decreased σlnCL in both groups. However, salbutamol increased VD in only the healthy group. Apart from σlnCL in the patient group, age did not influence the size of any effect associated with salbutamol. <bold>Conclusions:</bold> Salbutamol improved lung function in both groups. The absence of any effect on VD in asthma is intriguing and may perhaps relate to airway remodelling. <bold>Reference:</bold> 1. doi.org/10.1152/japplphysiol.00436.2022