title: The detection of collapsible airways contributing to airflow limitation.
abstract: The detection of collapsible airways, which may be a component of asthma and emphysema, has important therapeutic implications. We describe a patient with significant airways collapse contributing to his airflow limitation and discuss how collapsible airways can be assessed by the volume difference between what exits the lung as determined by a spirometer and the volume compressed as measured by the plethysmograph. More simply, a large volume difference between the slow and forced vital capacity (SVC-FVC), easily obtained from spirometry, may be used as a surrogate index of airway collapse.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: C G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Irvin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010993:Plethysmography, Whole Body; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity