[Role of bronchospasm in development of bronchial obstruction in chronic bronchitis].

Aim: To clarify the role of bronchospasm in impairment of bronchial permeability in chronic bronchitis.
Materials and Methods: Lung capacity (LC), forced lung capacity (FLC), forced expiration volume for 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/LC%, peak volume rate (PVS), maximal volume expiration rate (MVER) at the level of 25, 50 and 75% of LC were measured in 62 patients with chronic obstructive bronchitis before and after inhalation of 1 dose of berotec and 1 dose of atrovent.
Results: Bronchospasm was present in 42% of the patients, being the only cause of obstruction in 5% of patients. Other reasons added in 37%. Bronchospasm contribution to obstruction reached 21-40, 41-80, 81-100% in 5, 10 and 27% of patients, respectively.
Conclusion: An important role of bronchospasm in development of bronchial obstruction in chronic bronchitis is proved.