Elastic properties of the central airways in obstructive lung diseases measured using anatomical optical coherence tomography.

Rationale: Our understanding of how airway remodeling affects regional airway elastic properties is limited due to technical difficulties in quantitatively measuring dynamic, in vivo airway dimensions. Such knowledge could help elucidate mechanisms of excessive airway narrowing.

Objectives: To use anatomical optical coherence tomography (aOCT) to compare central airway elastic properties in control subjects and those with obstructive lung diseases.

Evolution of changes in upper airway collapsibility during slow induction of anesthesia with propofol.

Background: Upper airway collapsibility is known to increase under anesthesia. This study assessed how this increase in collapsibility evolves during slow Propofol induction and how it relates to anesthesia-induced changes in upper airway muscle activity and conscious state.

Methods: Nine healthy volunteers were studied.