[Does halothane, in subnarcotic dosage, have a detectable broncholytic effect?].

The reaction of halothane in subnarcotic dosage (0.25-0.5 Vol.-%) e.g. with the cooperative patient, was tested at 32 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary affection (from them 26 patients with pathological increased resistance of the respiratory system) concerning bronchial obstruction. The significant decrease of the respiratory rate and of the resistance of the respiratory system as well as the significant increase of the volume of the breath inspiration unambiguously prove, beside the influence on the subjective health and on the auscultatory findings, a bronchial-enlarging effect of halothane. At 10 patients with serious acute bronchial obstruction, which could not be cured by means of conventional medicamentous therapy, halothane was employed in subnarcotic dosage. In spite of the difficulties in the assessment of the halothane effect by pretreatment we relate the impressive, subjective and objective improvement in these patients to its bronchospasmolytic effect because of the immediate temporal association with the halothane inhalation. In case that there are missing contraindications and an insufficient effect of the conventional medicamentous therapy the use of halothane in subnarcotic dosage with acute serious bronchial obstruction is indicated.