Pneumatic stenting in the surgical candidacy assessment for cough variant expiratory central airway collapse

Alanna Barrios-Ruiz; Alejandra Yu Lee-Mateus; Britney N Hazelett; Katherine L Walsh; Sebastian Fernandez-Bussy; Vichaya Arunthari; Brendon Colaco; Bryan J Taylor; David Abia-Trujillo

doi:10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101889

Pneumatic stenting in the surgical candidacy assessment for cough variant expiratory central airway collapse

Respir Med Case Rep. 2023 Jul 1:45:101889. doi: 10.1016/j.rmcr.2023.101889. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Alanna Barrios-Ruiz¹, Alejandra Yu Lee-Mateus¹, Britney N Hazelett¹, Katherine L Walsh¹, Sebastian Fernandez-Bussy¹, Vichaya Arunthari¹, Brendon Colaco¹, Bryan J Taylor², David Abia-Trujillo¹

Affiliations

¹ Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Sleep Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.
² Division of Circulatory Failure, Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA.

Abstract

Expiratory Central Airway Collapse (ECAC) is a multifactorial, underdiagnosed entity that poses unique challenges. Airway stenting is used as a predictor for successful outcomes after central airway stabilization surgery via tracheobronchoplasty (TBP). This approach may pose suboptimal performance in certain ECAC variants. We hypothesize that Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP), used as a pneumatic stent, could be a non-invasive alternative to evaluate surgical candidacy in cough-predominant ECAC presentations. We report on a 67-year-old female with a history of chronic cough and confirmed ECAC. After optimization of medical therapy without significant relief and unsuccessful stent trial. We opted to perform CPAP trial during exercise, the patient exercised on a treadmill, and CPAP was applied at two levels (9 cmH₂O, 11 cmH₂O). The use of CPAP was associated with resolution of cough and a decrease in exercise-related perceived exertion. Applying CPAP during exercise may be a promising alternative to stent trials to determine patients' candidacy for surgical management of cough-predominant ECAC.

Keywords: Airway collapse; Continuous positive airway pressure; Excessive dynamic airway collapse; Expiratory central airway collapse; Tracheobronchomalacia; Tracheomalacia.

Publication types

Case Reports