High Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia Does Not Alter Airway Resistance and Attenuates the Response to an Inhalational Provocation Test in Patients with Bronchial Hyperreactivity

Abstract

We conclude that in patients with bronchial hyperreactivity 1. blockade of pulmonary sympathetic innervation seems to be of no relevance for airway resistance and 2. both epidural and intravenous bupivacaine substantially attenuate the response to an inhalational provocation with acetylcholine.