Abstract
Introduction: It is known that low attenuation volume (LAV) assessed by computed tomography (CT) is related to the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the relationship between the regional distribution of emphysema assessed by LAV and inspiratory capacity is not clear.
Objectives: To investigate the relationship between IC and emphysematous changes in each lobe.
Methods: We recruited 76 Vietnamese COPD patients who underwent chest CT and respiratory function tests. We analyzed volumetric CT data and measured the fraction of low attenuation volume (LAV%) in each lobe. We then evaluated the relationship between LAV% in each lobe and inspiratory capacity.
Results: LAV% of the whole lung was significantly related to inspiratory capacity (r=-0.278, p=0.021). LAA% in right lung and left lung were significantly related to inspiratory capacity (r=-0.275, p=0.022, and r=-0.2715, p=0.024, respectively). LAV% of the right upper lobe and middle lobe was not related to inspiratory capacity (p=0.075 and p=0.457, respectively). LAV% of the right lower lobe was significantly related to inspiratory capacity (r=-0.354, p=0.003). LAV% of the left upper lobe was not related to inspiratory capacity (p=0.072). LAV% of the left lower lobe was significantly related to inspiratory capacity (r=-0.371, p=0.002).
Conclusion: Inspiratory capacity is affected more strongly by the emphysematous changes in the lower lobes than in the upper lobes.
- © 2011 ERS
