Perspectives of pathophysiology and respiratory physiology in COPD

Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized as progressive airflow limitation caused by pathologies in airway and lung parenchyma. Whereas airflow limitation may occur due to simple airway diseases, physiological and mechanical interaction between airway and parenchyma may be important pathophysiological features of COPD. Such interaction may exist in various level of airways, and consequently, static and/or dynamic hyperinflation may occur in COPD lungs. These pathophysiological features may serve as major source of severe breathlessness, excise intolerance and restricted activities in daily life. To evaluate these pathophysiological features of COPD, several modalities, such as pulmonary function tests, quantitative imaging techniques, and other objective measurements are conducted in clinical settings. However, radical interventions to treat COPD lungs are not achieved yet. Recent progress in techniques of quantitative measurements, and physiological investigations of COPD lungs may contribute deepened understandings of COPD pathophysiology and development of significant intervention of patients with COPD.