1. Inhaled bronchodilators in maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; historical evolution along the lines of evidence.
Inhaled bronchodilators in maintenance treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; historical evolution along the lines of evidence. Each block represents a class of inhaled bronchodilators or combination of bronchodilators as they became subsequently available on the market. The interconnecting full arrows point to the class with demonstrated superior effects on health outcomes (the evidence being provided by comparative studies referred to by the numbered references between brackets). Dashed interconnecting bi-directional arrows indicate the absence of comparative studies. SABA: short-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist; SAAC: short-acting anticholinergic; LAAC: long-acting anticholinergic; LABA: long-acting β2-adrenergic receptor agonist.
W. Vincken Eur Respir Rev 2005;14:23-31
©2005 by European Respiratory Society