Effect of Inhalated Bronchodilators on Air Trapping in Patients with Stable Asthma

Abstract

Air trapping is frequently observed during high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of patients with asthma, but whether the condition is reversible has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate reversibility of air trapping in response to bronchodilator. Ten never-smokers with stable asthma enrolled in the study. Spirometry and HRCT were performed before and after bronchodilator inhalation. Air trapping remained unchanged, although significant reversibility of FEV₁ was observed. Air trapping scores correlated significantly with airway wall thickness. These observations suggest that air trapping is irreversible and that it represents structural remodeling of small airways in patients with stable asthma.

Keywords:

• asthma
• high-resolution computed tomography
• air trapping
• bronchial wall thickness
• remodeling