EFFECT OF BRONCHODILATORS ON HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

<p><strong>Aim.</strong> To study effect of long-acting theophylline (Theotard, KRKA) and combination of salmeterol and fluticasone (Seretide, GlaxoSmithKline) on heart rhythm variability (HRV) and number of arrhythmic episodes in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</p><p><strong>Material and methods.</strong> 144 patients with COPD and 35 patients of control group were examined. The analysis of HRV and Holter monitoring were made f on 2th and 14th days.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Treatment with both drugs led to increase in power of low- and high frequencies and their ratio (LF/HF), decrease in rate of supraventricular and ventricular arrhythmias. Theophylline therapy raised in a number of single and pair supraventricular extrasystoles. Treatment with combination of salmeterol and fluticasone did not change a number of extrasystoles.</p><p><strong>Conclusion.</strong> Combination of salmeterol and fluticasone is more preferable as a broncholytic therapy for patients with COPD and heart rhythm disorders.