Abstract
Mucociliary airway clearance (MAC) as measured by tracheal mucus velocity (TMV) was evaluated in 14 patients with CF (18-43 years, mean = 25 yrs). A fiberoptic bronchoscope was passed transnasally into the trachea with topical Xylocaine anesthesia, and Teflon discs (0.68 mm dia, 0.13 mg) were blown onto the mucosa (Xylocaine has been shown previously not to alter TMV in unanesthetized sheep). The discs were filmed at ½-sec. intervals and TMV calculated from image size and film speed (J.Appl.Physiol. 43:495, 1973). TMV was slower in CF than in 20 normal volunteers (NV) (18-44 yrs, mean = 27 yrs): 2.6±3.3 mm/min (std. dev.) vs. 20.1±6.4 mm/min (p<.001). There was no correlation of TMV with age, sex, clinical status, pulmonary functions, or tracheal appearance.
Immediately after measurement of TMV, 0.25 mg Terbutaline (T) (1-(3, 5-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-(t-butylamino)-ethanol), a new beta adrenergic agent, was given subcutaneously. TMV 15 min later increased to 5.5±3.6 mm/min (p<.001). In NV there was no significant effect of T on TMV. Each CF subject appeared to produce more secretions in the trachea and main-stem bronchi after T than before.
This is the first time that MAC has been evaluated in CF by a direct method. These data suggest that pharmacologic agents may be useful in increasing MAC in CF.
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Wood, R., Wanner, A., Hirsch, J. et al. MEASUREMENT OF MUCOCILIARY AIRWAY CLEARANCE IN PATIENTS WITH CYSTIC FIBROSIS (CF) AND ITS STIMULATION BY TERBUTALINE. Pediatr Res 8, 471 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00787
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197404000-00787
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