Mechanisms of intrinsic force in small human airways

Compliance, hysteresis, and collapsibility of human small airways.

We tested the hypothesis that airway wall dimensions are important determinants for the mechanical properties of airways. Lung tissue was obtained from 31 smokers with different degrees of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who were operated on for a solitary lung lesion. Segments of small airways (n = 35) were mounted on cannulas in an organ bath and inflated and deflated cyclically ...

Assessing small airways disease.

A simple method of assessing smaller airways obstruction is easily available and could be used retrospectively. In contrast to the mean forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of forced vital capacity (FVC; FEF25–75%), which measures the mid-portion of exhalation ending at nearly the same time as the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) in these subjects, the FEV3/FVC% or (1-FEV3/FVC...

Small airways obstruction syndrome.

STUDY OBJECTIVES To clarify the significance of a functional lung pattern characterized by a decreased vital capacity (VC) and an increased residual volume (RV), but with a normal FEV1/VC ratio. SETTING A university teaching hospital. SUBJECTS Patients with bronchial asthma, pulmonary emphysema, and small airways disease, and older subjects. MEASUREMENTS Measurements of static and dynamic...

Mechanisms of Remodeling in Asthmatic Airways

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disorder characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible airflow obstruction. Subgroups of asthma patients develop airflow obstruction that is irreversible or only partially reversible and experience an accelerated rate of lung function decline. The structural changes in the airways of these patients are referred to as airway remodeling. All el...

Small airways, big challenge.