Respiratory effects of intravenous lobeline in normal subjects and in patients with mitral stenosis.

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Abstract
Pulmonary ventilation, mechanics of respiration, and arterial blood gases were measured before and immediately after intravenous administration of 3 mg lobeline in 10 normal subjects and 10 patients with mitral stenosis. In the healthy subjects minute ventilation increased almost 3-fold after administration of the drug; a slight change was observed in patients with mitral stenosis. Decreased sensitivity of the peripheral chemo-receptors in these patients is suspected. Cough appeared in all healthy subjects 4-6 sec. after injection, indicating that cough receptors are located in the pulmonary circulation. Cough appeared in only 3 out of 10 patients with mitral stenosis indicating a decreased sensitivity of these receptors. Total lung resistance increased significantly in normal subjects and patients with mitral stenosis after lobeline, demonstrating the bronchoconstrictor effect of the drug. No change in lung compliance occurred in the healthy subjects or in patients with mitral stenosis.