Bronchoprovocation testing.
Airway smooth muscles of asthmatics tend to be hyperresponsive when provoked. The exaggerated bronchial constriction can be measured by the airflow limitation seen following bronchial provocation. Measuring bronchial hyperresponsiveness by broncho provocation testing is helpful in diagnosing and optimizing therapy. While numerous agents have been used to provoke a measurable airflow limitation, standardized protocols are available for only a few. This article aims to discuss the various methods that have been reported for bronchoprovocation testing.
Reddy
Chakravarthy
C
Division of Respiratory, Critical Care and Occupational Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. chakravarthy.reddy@hsc.utah.edu
D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000378:metabolism*; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000378:metabolism; D012015:Reference Standards