RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Area under the maximum expiratory flow-volume curve a sensitive parameter in the evaluation of airway obstruction
JF European Respiratory Journal
JO Eur Respir J
FD European Respiratory Society
SP p926
VO 38
IS Suppl 55
A1 Lubomir Legath
A1 Marek Varga
A1 Slavomir Perecinsky
A1 Martin Orolin
YR 2011
UL http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/38/Suppl_55/p926.abstract
AB Introduction: The most frequently used parameters for assessing bronchoconstriction and bronchodilation are forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1) and peak expiratory flow (PEF).Objectives: To assess the sensitivity of other parameters after induced bronchoconstriction and bronchodilation.Methods: Forced vital capacity, FEV 1, PEF, maximum expiratory flows (MEF) at 25, 50 and 75% of vital capacity and the area under the maximal expiratory flow- volumeMEFV curve (Area ex) were measured in two groups of asthmatic patients after induced bronchoconstriction and bronchodilation.Results: In 158 asthmatics without airway obstruction, bronchoconstriction was induced by inhalation of 1% histamine aerosol. The 20% fall in Area ex compared to baseline was found in all asthmatics, while the 20 and 15% falls in FEV 1 were noted in 31 and 69% of the patients, respectively. Other parameters were less sensitive. Another 102 asthmatics with mild-moderate airway obstruction were treated with various bronchodilators. The 20% increase in Area ex was observed in all asthmatics, while the 20% increase in FEV 1 was found in only 28% of the patients and the 15% increase in FEV 1 in 56%.Conclusion: In evaluation of correlation between dynamic functional parameters the most accurate parameter is Areaex – value defining surface under the expiratory part of “flow – volume” curve. Area ex was a sensitive parameter in the evaluation of airway patency in comparison withf MEF25, MEF50, MEF75, FEV 1 and other parameters measured from the MEFV curve in our study patients.