Detection of Peripheral Ventilation Inhomogeneity in Smokers
BACKGROUND: In smokers, ‘small airways’ narrowing alters the conventional, vital capacity single breath washout (SBWVC). Although, in some studies, the test predicts smokers at risk of developing chronic airflow limitation, its wide variability partly explains its poor positive predictive value. An...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Hindawi Limited
1997-01-01
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| Series: | Canadian Respiratory Journal |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/1997/234268 |
| Summary: | BACKGROUND: In smokers, ‘small airways’ narrowing alters the conventional, vital capacity single breath washout (SBWVC). Although, in some studies, the test predicts smokers at risk of developing chronic airflow limitation, its wide variability partly explains its poor positive predictive value. An alternative explanation for the test’s poor predictive value is that it may not accurately reflect small airway narrowing in the lung periphery. |
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| ISSN: | 1198-2241 |