Unexpected improvements of lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Marko Topalovic; Tuur Helsen; Thierry Troosters; Wim Janssens

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2016.05.004

Unexpected improvements of lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Respir Med Case Rep. 2016 May 12:18:81-4. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2016.05.004. eCollection 2016.

Authors

Marko Topalovic¹, Tuur Helsen¹, Thierry Troosters², Wim Janssens¹

Affiliations

¹ Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Leuven, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, KU Leuven, Belgium.
² Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, KU Leuven, Belgium.

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is usually characterized by a progressive decline of lung function. We reported the 10 years follow-up of an elderly man, a heavy smoker with severe COPD and apical bullous emphysema. During 6 months pulmonary rehabilitation program the patient's clinical state improved significantly and it associated with a steep increase in forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). This case report elaborates on the unexpected gain of FEV1 in the follow-up of a COPD patient.

Keywords: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec; Giant bulla; Lung function; Pulmonary rehabilitation.

Publication types

Case Reports