Chronic Pulmonary Emphysema

Its Pathogenesis and Check Valve Mechanism

抄録

The abnormalities of the lung structure and function in the senile and emphysema lung were studied, and the cardinal factors of the development from the senile lung to chronic obstructive emphysema were speculated as follows.
First, the chronic bronchitis which is the common disorder in senile lung, apt to develop bronchiolitis, with acinus inflammation in the acute exacerbation and causes the damage of the wall of respiratory bronchioli and alveolar ducts. Secondly, as the result, the pressure unbalance between the intrapulmonary pressure which tends to collapse airway, the elasticity which tends to distend airway and the intrabronchial pressure develops. These agents which disturb the pressure balance were studied theoretically and measured practically. Thirdly, the check valve phenomenon develops by the pressure unbalance. The viscious circle repeating check valve phenomenon accelerates the progression of the chronic pulmonary emphysema. The other agents; obstructive change, cough, exercise and hyperventilation also accerelate the development and progression of the chronic pulmonary emphysema. We believe the above theory is the most important factor in the pathogenesis of the chronic pulmonary emphysema.
The new index of check valve index (C. V. I.) was proposed in differentiating chronic pulmonary emphysema from bronchial asthma. Application of check valve index in conjuction with one second vital capacity per vital capacity (1''VC/VC) is available for diagnosis of chronic pulmonary emphysema.