Non-invasive measurement of abnormal ventilatory mechanics in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction: In this study we investigated non-invasive, effort-independent measurement of ventilatory mechanics in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Methods: Ventilatory mechanics were measured by optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) in ALS patients and matched controls. Analysis determined whether OEP measurements correlated with standard clinical measures.

Quantification of Improvements in Static and Dynamic Ventilatory Measures Following Lung Volume Reduction Surgery for Severe COPD.

This study quantitatively measured the effects of lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) on spirometry, static and dynamic lung and chest wall volume subdivision mechanics, and cardiopulmonary exercise measures. Patients with severe COPD (mean FEV = 23 ± 6% predicted) undergoing LVRS evaluation were recruited. Spirometry, plethysmography and exercise capacity were obtained within 6 months pre-LVRS and again within 12 months post- LVRS.

Optoelectronic plethysmography compared to spirometry during maximal exercise.

The purpose of this study was to compare simultaneous measurements of tidal volume (Vt) by optoelectronic plethysmography (OEP) and spirometry during a maximal cycling exercise test to quantify possible differences between methods. Vt measured simultaneously by OEP and spirometry was collected during a maximal exercise test in thirty healthy participants. The two methods were compared by linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis at submaximal and maximal exercise.

The COPD genetic association compendium: a comprehensive online database of COPD genetic associations.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. COPD is thought to arise from the interaction of environmental exposures and genetic susceptibility, and major research efforts are underway to identify genetic determinants of COPD susceptibility. With the exception of SERPINA1, genetic associations with COPD identified by candidate gene studies have been inconsistently replicated, and this literature is difficult to interpret.