Phase IV O2 Consumption Study in COPD Patients.

Patients with moderate/severe COPD are known to have static hyperinflation and to develop dynamic hyperinflation during exercise. Treatment with inhaled long-acting beta agonists and combination of the long-acting beta agonist (LABA), formoterol and the inhaled corticosteroid, budesonide has been shown to improve IC and decrease lung hyperinflation. In a similar previous pilot single centre study with budesonide/formoterol (Symbicort®) the analysis of cardiac outcomes demonstrated a decrease in maximum volume of oxygen (VO2) compared to placebo. Findings suggested that the use of Symbicort can decrease the cost of breathing and therefore reduce the cardiac demand experienced by COPD patients with hyperinflation at rest. The aim of this study is to investigate whether Symbicort therapy can decrease resting VO2 by decreasing static lung hyperinflation in subjects with COPD and to evaluate changes in cardiac function.