The use of a vasodilator, felodipine, as an adjuvant to long-term oxygen treatment in COLD patients

Eight patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and pulmonary hypertension were given an infusion of a calcium antagonist, felodipine, during ongoing, long-term oxygen treatment (LTOT). The effects on central haemodynamics and ventilation-perfusion matching were studied. At rest pulmonary and systemic vascular resistances (PVR and SVR) were reduced by 18% (NS) and 26% (p less than 0.05), respectively. Cardiac output increased by 23%. There was a tendency to increased perfusion of low alveolar ventilation-perfusion ratio (VA/Q) areas (VA/Q less than 0.1) and to increased shunt compared to pretreatment values. Arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) fell by 0.7 kPa (p less than 0.001) but total oxygen transport increased by 23% (p less than 0.001). After treatment with oral felodipine (7.5-15 mg.day-1) for a mean time of 14 wks, PVR and SVR were reduced by 16% (p less than 0.05) and 7% (NS), respectively, as compared to pretreatment values at rest. Cardiac output rose by 13%. The VA/Q ratios and the PaO2 returned towards pretreatment values. The total oxygen transport increased by 11% (p less than 0.05) at rest and increased by 19% (p less than 0.05) during exercise as compared to the pretreatment value. The positive effect on central haemodynamics indicates that felodipine may be a valuable adjunct to ongoing LTOT.