Influence of 0.2 mg ipratropium bromide on mucociliary clearance in patients with chronic bronchitis

14 patients with chronic bronchitis were subdivided into 2 groups of 7 patients. They were given at random 10 puffs of placebo or ipratropium bromide (0.2 mg). The mucociliary clearance rate was measured immediately after ipratropium inhalation (group 1) or 24 h after ipratropium inhalation (group 2). In group 1, the mucociliary clearance after ipratropium bromide was significantly better than after placebo (p less than 0.01). In group 2 there was no difference in the mucociliary clearance rates measured after ipratropium bromide or placebo, but the clearance rate still tended in favour of ipratropium bromide. We conclude that ipratropium bromide should be inhaled in high doses (0.2 mg) by hypersecretory patients with chronic bronchitis to improve mucociliary transport.