The impact of emphysema on cardiopulmonary response to exercise in COPD patients
A new study shows for the first time the ventilatory response to exercise in COPD patients with emphysema.
Sixteen patients with moderate to severe emphysema, quantified by high resolution computed tomography scan (HRCT), were studied. All participants underwent a full lung function evaluation with Quark PFT, including spirometry, diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and body plethysmography. Thereafter, during exercise testing, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide production, ventilation, tidal volume, respiratory frequency and end-tidal CO2 partial pressure were all measured breath-by-breath with COSMED metabolic cart.
The study concludes that "a distinct physiologic response pattern can be detected at CPET in pulmonary emphysema patients. The ratio VT peak/FEV1 progressively increased in proportion to the severity of emphysema and a ratio > 1 was typically observed in more severe patients (i.e., %E ≥ 50 at HRCT)".
The scientific paper details are the following:
- Title: "Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in pulmonary emphysema"
- Authors: Patrizia Paoletti, Francesca De Filippis, Francesco Fraioli, Alessandra Cinquanta, Gabriele Valli, Pierantonio Laveneziana, Francesco Vaccaro, Dario Martolini, Paolo Palange. Pulmonary Lung Function Unit, “La Sapienza” University, Rome (Italy)
- Published in: Respiratory Physiology & Neurobiology 179 (2011) 167– 173
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