Association between airway caliber changes with lung inflation and emphysema assessed by volumetric CT scan in subjects with COPD.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An increase in airway caliber (airway distensibility) with lung inflation is attenuated in COPD. Furthermore, some subjects have a decrease in airway caliber with lung inflation. We aimed to test the hypothesis that airway caliber increases are lower in subjects with emphysema-predominant (EP) compared with airway-predominant (AP) CT scan subtypes. Additionally, we compared clinical and CT scan features of subjects with (airway constrictors) and without a decrease in airway caliber.

Methods

Based on GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) stages and CT scan subtypes, we created a control group (n = 46) and the following matched COPD groups (n = 23 each): GOLD-2-AP, GOLD-2-EP, GOLD-4-AP, and GOLD-4-EP. From the CT scans of all 138 subjects, we

SUBMITTER: Diaz AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3296457 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature