Bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with mitral valve disease

To elicit the mechanism of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) in chronic heart failure (CHF), a methacholine inhalation test, pulmonary function test, and cardiac catheterization were performed in 19 patients with mitral valve disease (MVD), and the change of severity of BHR before and after mitral valve replacement (MVR) was also examined in seven of 19 patients with MVD. Sixteen of 19 patients with MVD showed significant increase in respiratory resistance in methacholine inhalation test, while all normal subjects did not. The maximal expiratory flow at 25 percent of vital capacity (Vmax25), a parameter of small airway disease, correlated significantly with log cumulative dose producing a 35 percent decrease in respiratory conductance (PD35Grs) (r = 0.536) and the duration of symptoms (r = -0.682). There was a significant correlation between log PD35Grs and mean pulmonary artery wedge pressure (r = -0.466). After MVR, log PD35Grs was significantly improved in all seven operated-on patients, although six patients retained BHR. We conclude that patients with long-term MVD have marked BHR and that BHR in long-term MVD is related to peripheral airway narrowing with organic remodeling, which was not ameliorated with MVR procedure, in addition to pulmonary congestion.     

Bronchial biopsies in asthma. An ultrastructural, quantitative study and correlation with hyperreactivity

Little is known of the structural changes in mild asthma. We have studied the light and electron microscopic structure of lobar bronchial biopsies taken at fiberoptic bronchoscopy from 11 atopic asthmatics, four of whom were symptomatic and seven of whom were asymptomatic. The former and three of the latter had bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine (PC20 less than 4 mg/ml). Quantitative comparisons were made with biopsies from ten control subjects with normal airway reactivity; five had hay fever and five were nonatopic healthy volunteers. Complete absence of surface epithelium was found in three cases of symptomatic asthma, and stratified squamous epithelium was present in the fourth. A biopsy from one of the healthy control subjects had also lost its surface epithelium. The degree of epithelial loss in all subjects correlated with the degree of airway reactivity (rs = 0.67, p less than 0.001). The reticular lamina of the epithelial basement membrane showed a trend toward thickening in the seven hyperreactive asthmatics (p less than 0.001: median test). There was a tendency to high numbers of inflammatory cells in the lamina propria, but not in the submucosa, of asthmatics, but the differences between groups did not achieve statistical significance. There were significant alterations (px2 less than 0.001) in the proportions of each type of inflammatory cell found in the lamina propria and submucosa of symptomatic asthmatics: an increase of irregularly shaped lymphocytes contributed most to the observed alteration. Where surface epithelium was present, intraepithelial lymphocytes formed the major proportion of intraepithelial "migratory" cells: 64% in normal control subjects, 78% in subjects with hay fever, and 87% in asymptomatic asthmatics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Bronchial hyperreactivity in children with Marfan syndrome

Marfan syndrome is known to have pulmonary manifestations such as pneumothorax. There have been few previous studies of pulmonary function tests and none of bronchial hyperreactivity. Therefore, pulmonary function tests were performed in 11 children with Marfan syndrome and 11 normal children. Bronchial responsiveness was tested in ten of the Marfan patients by methacholine challenge test and response to bronchodilator. Because of disproportionate length of legs in Marfan patients, an "ideal" standing height was calculated from sitting height. Pulmonary function tests, as absolute values or as percent predicted based on "ideal" height, were not different in Marfan patients and normals, although a few individual patients had abnormal function (mostly airway obstruction and hyperinflation). Response to methacholine challenge was positive on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% VC (FEF25-75%), and FEF50%, in 37.5%, 60%, and 70% of tests respectively. A significant response to bronchodilators was obtained in 40% of patients as measured by FEV1, in 90% by FEF25-75% and in 100% by FEF50%. Pulmonary function tests after bronchodilator were significantly higher when compared with values before the bronchodilator as well as with the baseline before methacholine. Therefore, most if not all patients with Marfan syndrome had hyperreactive airways in this relatively small group of patients. Even though only one patient had a diagnosis of asthma, six more had subtle symptoms. It is concluded that tests for bronchial hyperreactivity could be part of the routine investigation in Marfan syndrome. Further studies on larger numbers of patients are still needed.     

Bronchial hyperreactivity and spirometric impairment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis

We previously demonstrated in a group of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis alone, impairment of spirometric parameters and high percentage of bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR). Thus, the present study aimed at evaluating a group of subjects suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis alone to investigate the presence of spirometric impairment and BHR both during and outside the pollen season. METHODS: One-hundred rhinitics sensitized to pollen allergens only were evaluated during and outside the pollen season. Spirometry and methacholine bronchial challenge were performed. RESULTS: Four rhinitics showed impaired values of FEV1 without referred symptoms of asthma during the pollen season. FEF 25-75 values were impaired in 17 rhinitics during the pollen season and in 11 rhinitics outside the pollen season (P<0.05). Fifty-four patients showed positive methacholine bronchial challenge both during and outside the pollen season. PD20/FEV1 methacholine was lower during the pollen season than outside (P<0.05). In BHR positive patients, reduced values of FVC (P<0.05), FEV1 (P<0.05), and FEF 25-75 (P<0.01) were significantly demonstrated in comparison with BHR negative rhinitics. There was a relationship between BHR degree and FEF 25-75 values only during the pollen season (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study evidences that an impairment of spirometric parameters may be observed also in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis alone during the pollen season. A high percentage of these patients had BHR. A close relationship between upper and lower airways is confirmed also in the model of pollen allergy. Thus, a careful evaluation of lower airways should be performed also in those patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis alone.     

支气管结核患者的气道高反应性

目的研究支气管结核患者气道高反应性及肺通气功能状况,为早期确诊支气管结核,避免误诊提供客观依据。方法 2002年1月至2005年4月收集24例支气管结核患者,均经纤维支气管镜、胸部 CT、病理等多项检查证实,并进行肺功能测定,且对肺通气功能、气道阻力、气道反应性测定结果进行 t 检验及相关分析。结果高达41.7%的支气管结核患者存在气道高反应性,支气管结核患者还有剧烈咳嗽(100%,24/24)、呼吸困难(54%,13/24)、喘息等症状,而有血痰者仅占21%(5/24),因此极易被误诊为支气管哮喘,特别是咳嗽变异性哮喘。伴有气道高反应性的支气管结核患者的第一秒用力呼气容积占预计值百分比(FEV_1占预计值%)为(80.8±14.1)%,高于未伴有气道高反应性者的(65.8±16.4)%,差异有统计学意义(t=2.345,P<0.05),两组间比较,第一秒用力呼气容积与用力肺活量比值(FEV_1/FVC)、最大呼气中段流量(MMEF)、用力呼出25%肺活量时呼气流量(V_(75%))和气道阻力的差异无统计学意义(t 值为0.506～1.391,P 均>0.05)。伴有气道高反应性的支气管结核患者中,气道高反应性的高低仅与 FEV_1占预计值%呈负相关(r=-0.61,P<0.05),与其他肺功能指标均无明显相关。推测支气管结核患者气道高反应性的形成可能与其气道慢性炎症或刺激受体的暴露有关。结论支气管结核患者的气道高反应性不可忽视,应注意与咳嗽变异性哮喘鉴别。     

Bronchial hyperreactivity to inhaled histamine in patients with farmer’s lung

Eighty-two patients with farmer’s lung were given a bronchial challenge with histamine. In 22 of them, a positive reaction occurred during the acute phase of the disease. None of these subjects had asthma or chronic bronchitis. In 16 of the 20 positive reactors who were re-challenged the result was negative after 1–2 months. Our results suggest the existence of a subgroup of patients with bronchial hyperreactivity to inhaled histamine. This may reflect the individual location of the inflammatory process in patients with allergic bronchioloalveolitis.     

二尖瓣狭窄患者气道高反应性与糖皮质激素吸入的治疗 …

目的 了解气道反应性增高和二尖瓣狭窄患者咳嗽及气短症状间的关系,以及糖皮质激素吸入的治疗作用。方法 测定２３例二尖瓣狭窄患者的气道反应性,对１５例（６５％）气道反应性增高者,随机分为丙酸倍氯米松治疗组（８例）和安慰剂组（７例）,治疗６周后复查。治疗前后测定患者咳嗽及气短症状评分。对８名气道反应性正常者亦吸入丙酸倍氯米松作为对照组。结果 丙酸倍氯米松吸入组治疗６周后,其气道反应性显著降低（Ｐ〈０．０     

Bronchial hyperreactivity and airway wall thickening in obstructive sleep apnea patients

Purpose  

Hypoxia/reoxygenation episodes in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) results in the alteration of the oxidative balance, leading to the development of inflammation. Airway wall thickening and inflammatory changes are suggested as a primary cause of the airway hyperresponsiveness in asthmatics. Bronchial hyperreactivity (BH) may also occur in patients with OSA. We investigated the presence of BH and airway wall thickness in OSA and correlations with inflammatory markers.     

Bronchial hyperreactivity in patients who inhale heroin mixed with cocaine vaporized on aluminum foil

BACKGROUND: In our area, inhaling heroin mixed with cocaine vaporized on aluminum foil, known as rebujo, is becoming more and more common. AIM: To define the prevalence and the characteristics of bronchial disease (wheezing, bronchial hyperreactivity [BHR], and asthma) present in subjects inhaling heroin mixed with cocaine vaporized on aluminum foil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-one subjects who inhaled the drug mixture were included in the study: 62 subjects were from a drug rehabilitation center (INH-I group), and 29 subjects were among patients admitted to our hospital for a variety of reasons (INH-II group). A questionnaire was completed in both groups, as well as IgE determination and lung function tests (spirometry and methacholine challenge). The control group consisted of 122 individuals who did not inhale the drug mixture, and were chosen randomly from the general population (NO-INH group). All subjects were tobacco smokers. RESULTS: In the INH-I group, there was a 41.9% prevalence of wheezing over the past 12 months, a 44.4% prevalence of BHR, and a 22.02% prevalence of asthma, defined as wheezing plus BHR. In the NO-INH group, these values were 32.78% (p = 0.22), 15.57% (p < 0.0001), and 8.19% (p < 0.01), respectively. Of the subjects who inhaled the drug mixture and denied having symptoms prior to the use of the drug mixture, 31.4% had wheezing develop after commencing use of the drug, following a mean latency of 4.09 months. Wheezing remitted in only 7.6% after discontinuation of the drug. CONCLUSIONS: (1) There is a real increase in BHR in subjects who inhale heroin mixed with cocaine vaporized on aluminum foil; and (2) this BHR is associated with wheezing that develops after a variable period of latency, once drug inhalation begins, and persists despite discontinuation of the drug.     

Bronchial ciliogenesis and oral steroid treatment in patients with asthma

The effect of steroids on the ciliogenesis of bronchial epithelium has not previously been studied in asthmatics. Bronchial biopsies were taken during bronchoscopy from five asthmatics before and after oral steroid treatment, and studied by transmission electron microscopy. Two untreated healthy subjects served as controls. After treatment, ciliogenesis was abundant in all patients.     

Bronchial hyperreactivity in patients with mitral stenosis before and after successful percutaneous mitral balloon valvulotomy

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to identify the bronchial response to inhaled methacholine in patients with mitral stenosis (MS) and to clarify whether or not the bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) is reversible after percutaneous mitral balloon valvulotomy (PBMV). PATIENTS AND SETTING: Thirty patients with MS and 28 age-matched healthy control subjects were prospectively evaluated with pulmonary function tests and methacholine challenge. The productive concentration of methacholine causing 20% decrease in FEV(1) (PC(20)) was calculated and used as a parameter of bronchial responsiveness. BHR was defined as a PC(20) < 8 mg/mL. Mean pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) were recorded in all patients through a Swan-Ganz balloon-tipped catheter. Sixteen patients underwent PMBV, and a methacholine test was repeated after each procedure. RESULTS: Bronchial response to methacholine was significantly increased in patients with MS, so that 53% of them had BHR, whereas all control subjects were nonresponders. The PC(20) was closely correlated with the PAP (r = - 0.777; p < 0.001), PCWP (r = - 0.723; p < 0.001), and mitral valve area (MVA; r = 0.676; p < 0. 001). Balloon valvulotomy was successfully performed in all of the 16 patients, and the cardiac parameters (MVA, PAP, and PCWP) significantly improved after the procedure. In contrast, no significant changes were shown in pulmonary function test variables (total lung capacity, vital capacity [VC], FEV(1), and FEV(1)/VC). Although significant improvement was observed in the mean PC(20) values (from 4.97 +/- 5.24 to 7.47 +/- 6.96 mg/mL; p = 0.0006), BHR was completely eliminated in only one patient. CONCLUSIONS: Our data shows that BHR is fairly common among patients with MS, and severity of bronchial responsiveness is significantly correlated with the severity of MS. Moreover, PMBV leads to significant reduction in pulmonary congestion and a consequent improvement in BHR.