Contributions of Loss of Lung Recoil and of Enhanced Airways Collapsibility to the Airflow Obstruction of Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema

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Abstract

We investigated the contributions of intrinsic disease of the airways, loss of lung recoil and enhanced airway collapsibility to the airflow obstruction of 17 patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Airways conductance at low flow (Gaw), maximum expiratory flow (V̇E, MAX) and static lung recoil pressure [Pst (l)] were measured at different lung volumes, and conductance-static recoil pressure and maximum flow-static recoil pressure curves constructed. Low values of ΔGaw/ΔPst (l) and ΔV̇E, max/ΔPst (l) were attributed to intrinsic airways disease. Airway collapsibility was assessed by comparing Gaw with upstream conductance on forced expiration and by the intercept of the maximum flow-static recoil curve on the static recoil pressure axis (Ptm′).

Authors

D. G. Leaver, A. E. Tattersfield, N. B. Pride