ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Now lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) has become one of the most effective methods for the management of some cases of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated the mid-term effects of LVRS on pulmonary function in patients with severe COPD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten male patients with severe COPD aged 38 - 70 years underwent LVRS and their pulmonary function was assessed before, 3 months and 3 years after surgery. The spirometric and gas exchange parameters included residual volume, total lung capacity, inspiratory capacity, forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in one second, diffusion capacity for CO, and arterial blood gas. A 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) test was performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>As to preoperative assessment, most spirometric parameters and 6MWD were significantly improved after 3 months and slightly 3 years after LVRS. Gas exchange parameters were significantly improved 3 months after surgery, but returned to the preoperative levels after 3 years.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>LVRS may significantly improve pulmonary function in patients with severe COPD indicating for LVRS. Mid-term pulmonary function 3 years after surgery can be decreased to the level at 3 months after surgery. Three years after LVRS, lung volume and pulmonary ventilation function can be significantly improved, but the improvement in gas exchange function was not significant.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Exercise Tolerance , Lung Volume Measurements , Pneumonectomy , Methods , Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive , Pathology , General Surgery , Respiratory Function Tests , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Objective To study the clinical significance of pulmonary membrane diffusing capacity(Dm) and pulmonary capillary blood volume(Vc) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD). Methods Spirometry was performed in 38 patients with stable COPD and 35 healthy individuals in resting condition.The changes of pulmonary parameters were obtained and compared between groups. Results Spirometry test revealed that the percent predicted forced expired volume in one second(FEV1),FEV1/forced volume capacity(FVC)and the percent predicted maximal ventilatory volume(MVV) were declined from stage Ⅰin patients with COPD in comparison with healthy individuals,while diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide of lung(DLCO),carbon monoxide diffusing capacity per liter of alveolar(DLCO/VA),Dm and Vc were declined from stage Ⅱ.Dm in patients with COPD of stageⅠwas sig-nificantly decreased compared with the controls,while Vc was increased compared with the controls(both P