ERS 2020 – Ventilation-perfusion measures based on FRI correlates with exercise tolerance and PRO’s in COPD

Ventilation-perfusion measures based on FRI correlates with exercise tolerance in COPD

COPD affects the lungs in many ways. A common problem is reduced ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) values caused by airway disease leading to diminished regional ventilation.

At the ERS 2020 a poster (attach) was presented detailing research into the relationship between imaging-based V/Q and clinical endpoints, including St. George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) scores, 6-minute walk test (6MWT), and oxygen desaturation during 6MWD.

This work successfully demonstrates that measurements of clinical outcome, such as SGRQ, 6MWT and oxygen desaturation during 6MWT, are significantly correlated with imaging-based measurement of ventilation-perfusion in COPD patients, indicating that decline in clinical state is associated with worsening V/Q mismatch. This suggests that interventions aimed at improving V/Q may be crucial in improving the overall health of COPD patients.