Oxygen desaturation and breathlessness during corridor walking in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effect of oxitropium bromide.

Abstract

In patients with COPD arterial oxygen desaturation during self-paced walking is common, of greater severity than that during cycle ergometry, but is unaffected by inhaled oxitropium bromide. The factors that predict initial performance are not appropriate markers of functional improvement after an active bronchodilator drug.