[Effect of salbutamol on heart rate in patients with atrial fibrillation].

The influence of salbutamol aerosol on heart rate in patients with chronic atrial fibrillation was examined. The study comprised 15 patients (9 women and 6 man) in age 47-79 (mean 60) treated because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with concomitant atrial fibrillation. The influence of salbutamol on heart rate was investigated during six hours ecg Holter monitoring (3 hours before and 3 hours after using salbutamol). The analysis showed that salbutamol aerosol in two doses increased heart rate calculated as mean heart rate per hour from 3-hours intervals from 4061 congruent to 1022.5 to 4185 congruent to 976 (p greater than 0.05). Mean value of blood pressure in one hour intervals did not change significantly. In patients with concomitant chronic atrial fibrillation and COPD salbutamol increased heart rate but difference between mean values before and after administration was not significant.