[Bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with mitral stenosis and therapeutic effect of inhaled corticosteroids].

OBJECTIVE

To assess the role of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in patients with mitral stenosis and to evaluate the effect of inhaled corticosteroids in treating these patients.

METHODS

Histamine bronchial provocation testing was performed in 23 patients with mitral stenosis. Patients with BHR were randomized into beclomethasone treatment and placebo group. Patients without BHR were also treated with beclomethasone as controls.

RESULTS

15 patients showed BHR. His PD20-FEV1 were significantly higher after 6 weeks treatment (P < 0.05), and symptom scores significantly lower(P < 0.05) in beclomethasone treatment group while remained unchanged in placebo group(P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

BHR is commonly found in patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis. Beclomethasone can significantly decrease bronchial reactivity to histamine and improve symptoms in patients with mitral stenosis.