Small airway pathology and bronchoreversibility in advanced emphysema.

Publication/Presentation Date

4-1-2010

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Poorly reversible airflow obstruction is a hallmark feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, some COPD patients demonstrate significant bronchodilator reversibility (BDR). The pathologic features associated with the presence or absence of this phenomenon are not known.

METHODS: We analyzed 67 patients with advanced upper lobe predominant emphysema who underwent lung volume reduction surgery and divided them into 2 groups: the reversible group [BD(+)] had a >12% and >200 mL increase in FEV(1) or FVC with bronchodilator; the irreversible group [BD(-)] had a

RESULTS: Despite similar baseline characteristics, the BD(+) group had a smaller EH (0.036 mm vs. 0.042 mm, p = 0.005) and EH/BMP (0.012 vs. 0.014, p = 0.007), and a greater SMWA/BMA (0.491 vs. 0.430, p = 0.034) compared to the BD(-) group. In addition, EA trended to be smaller in the BD(+) group when compared to the BD(-) group (0.160 mm(2) vs. 0.184 mm(2), p = 0.06). In a subset of patients with consistent patterns of BDR on serial testing, the BD(+) group had greater SMWA/BMA (0.518 vs. 0.433, p = 0.049) and TWA/BMA (1.405 vs. 1.266, p = 0.036) compared to the BD(-) group.

CONCLUSIONS: Small airway smooth muscle mass may play a role in determining BDR in severe emphysema.

Volume

7

Issue

2

First Page

93

Last Page

101

ISSN

1541-2563

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

20397809

Department(s)

Department of Medicine

Document Type

Article

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