Influence of the carotid body on gas exchange during exercise.

The role of the carotid body in the ventilatory changes of exercise is reviewed. Peripheral chemoreceptor function was studied in 20 patients with chronic airways obstruction. The patients were treated double-blind and randomly allocated to placebo and almitrine bismesylate 50 mg b.d. before undertaking an exercise programme at day 0 and after 30 and 60 days of therapy. Patients on almitrine therapy had an improved resting arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) which was maintained during exercise. A statistically significant improvement of effort tolerance was observed after 60 days treatment with almitrine.