Elevation in lung volume and preventing catastrophic airway closure in asthmatics during bronchoconstriction.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Asthma exacerbations cause lung hyperinflation, elevation in load to inspiratory muscles, and decreased breathing capacity that, in severe cases, may lead to inspiratory muscle fatigue and respiratory failure. Hyperinflation has been attributed to a passive mechanical origin; a respiratory system time-constant too long for full exhalation. However, because the increase in volume is also concurrent with activation of inspiratory muscles during exhalation it is unclear whether hyperinflation in broncho-constriction is a passive phenomenon or is actively controlled to avoid airway closure. METHODS:Using CT scanning, we measured the distensibility of individual segmental airways relative to that of their surrounding parenchyma in seven subjects with asthma and nine healthy controls.

SUBMITTER: Osorio-Valencia JS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6300269 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature