Ventilation and Perfusion in Asthmatics

Ventilation and Perfusion in Individuals With Asthma

Assess regional changes to perfusion and ventilation from inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and Fast-acting beta-antagonist (FABA) among adult asthmatics using radiographically derived estimates of regional ventilation (V-distribution), ventilation defect percentage (VDP), and ventilation heterogeneity (VH).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Physician diagnosis of asthma
• Baseline Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) < 80% of predicted, with reversibility (10%) on post-bronchodilator spirometry
• Adults, 18-75 years of age
• Long-term inhaled controller medication consisting of or including an Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) at a steady dose for at least 3 months before enrollment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Current cigarette smoking or a past history of >10 pack-year smoking
• Current nicotine vaping
• Pregnant and breast-feeding women
• Respiratory infection within 4 weeks of proposed study date
• Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 Second (FEV1) < 50%
• Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)/fast-acting beta agonist (FABA) intolerance
• Use of beta-blockers
• Use of systemic glucocorticosteroids or oral methyl-xanthines within 30 days of planned study visit.