Effect of salbutamol on the cardiovascular response in healthy subjects at rest, during physical exercise, and in recovery phase: a randomized, double-blind, crossover study

Abstract

-Aim:To evaluate the effect of the short-acting beta agonists (SABAs) salbutamol on cardiovascular response rest, exercise and recovery phase. Methods: This study was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover study in 15 healthy adults, with a mean age of 30.2±6.6 years. Participants underwent a maximal effort test on two non-consecutive days with 400 mcg of salbutamol or placebo. Throughout the protocol, the variables HR, blood pressure (BP), perceived rate of effort (modified Borg scale) and peak expiratory flow (PEF) were monitored. Results: After salbutamol, baseline HR and PEF had increase from 71±8 to 80±11 bpm (p<0.05) and 454.0±64.5 to 475.3±71.4 L/min (p < 0.05), respectively. The variables HR, BP and Borg were similar between interventions during all the protocol phases (p>0.05). Conclusion: Administration of salbutamol increased rest heart rate; however, did not change heart rate, blood pressure and perceived exertion during exercise or recovery. This suggests that the salbutamol administration is safe and does not affect exercise intensity prescription in healthy subjects.

Efeito agudo do salbutamol no sistema cardiovascular durante o exercício físico em pacientes com asma moderada ou grave: estudo aleatorizado, duplo-cego e cruzado

“…In contrast, Eryonucu et al 19 found that 200mcg of salbutamol increased HR by 4 bpm in average in individuals with a recent diagnosis of asthma and without drug treatment. Similarly, Cekici et al 9 and Feitosa et al 15 showed a healthy increase in mean HR of 13 bpm and 8 bpm, respectively. These different results can be explained by the characteristics of the populations studied.…”

“…In addition, we use inhaled medication, which is the most recommended form currently, because it has less systemic effects, is more practical and has a lower cost 23 . In healthy subjects, Feitosa et al 15 found that the use of 400mcg of salbutamol did not alter the response of the cardiovascular system during and after exercise. Taken together, these results suggest that the use of salbutamol in the prevention or treatment of respiratory symptoms resulting from exercise does not affect the cardiovascular response during and in the recovery phase of physical exercise.…”

“…The ergometric treadmill Technogym Excite Run 700 (Technogym®, Cesena, Italy) was used according to the incremental stress protocol 15 . The predicted HR max (bpm) of each patient was calculated using the following formula [1] 16 : HR max =208-(0.7 x age) [1] The Power max (watts) during exercise was calculated using the following formula [2] 17 : Power max =weight(kg) x 9.81 x sine of angle of slope x speed(m/s) [2] Statistical analysis Considering a mean HR difference of 14 bpm with standard deviation of 11 bpm and considering the 10% follow-up attrition 9 , a sample of 13 patients was calculated.…”