ABSTRACT

Cardiac side effects of beta 2 agonists have been evaluated in many studies. The most importantfactors were hypoxia and hypokalemia. We searched for the cardıac sıde effects of formaterol m asthma and COPD patients with Pa 02> 60 mmHg, FEV1 > %50 and without any other cardıac disease. Patients after a period of withdrawal of bronchodilatator therapy were applied placebo, Formaterol 12 microgram and 24 microgram on days O, 1 and 2 respectively.

Their arterial blood gases, serum electrolytes and cardiac rithyms by Holter moniterisation were evaluated for three days. Serum potassium levels signifıcantly decreased in correlation with formaterol dose. 12 microgramformoterol did not change Pa 02 levels compared with placebo though 24 microgram decreased Pa O2 significantly. Alsa 24 microgram caused a significant decrease of Pa O2 compared with 12 microgram (p<0.05 ). 24 microgram formaterol decreased serum potassium levels more than 12 microgram ;but neither doses caused difference in atrial and ventricular arrythmia pruduction. We conclude that in mild to moderate stable asthma and COPD patients without hypoxemia both 12 and 24 microgram of formaterol did not cause significant arrythmia although they gave rise a decrease in potassium levels in accordance with dose.

Keywords: COPD. asthma, formoterol, cardiac side effects