CT and 3D airway modeling to estimate mucociliary clearance in COPD

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Estimating Mucociliary Clearance delivered by High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation to patients with COPD and mucus hypersecretion or frequent exacerbations, using CT scan and 3D modeling of airway caliber

  • IRAS ID

    94124

  • Contact name

    Indranil Chakravorty

  • Contact email

    indranil.chakravorty@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Electromed Inc USA

  • Research summary

    Mucociliary clearance (MCC) is an important mechanism for removing inhaled particles, secretions and cellular debris from the respiratory tract. MCC is known to be impaired in patients with COPD, impairing host defense leading to the retention of inhaled foreign particles, contributing to frequent admission to hospital.
    The primary aim of the study is to estimate the efficiency of mucociliary clearance based on measurement of airway calibre using CT scan and 3-dimensional airway modeling (airway thickness Pi10 and airway wall lumen percent).
    The secondary aim is to determine if the use of a High Frequency Chest Wall Oscillation (HFCWO) device improves health related quality of life and dynamic of small airway function (Forced Expiratory Flow at 25-50% volume FEF 25-75).
    Patients with COPD and mucus hypersecretion/ bronchiectasis over the age of 40 (to reduce the overlap with asthma) with a >10 pack year history of smoking, will be recruited into the study. The patients will use the vest for two sessions per day. All patients will have a baseline high resolution CT scan (HRCT) and a follow up scan following a 2 weeks intervention. The scans will then be analyzed using an established algorithm to determine if there has been any change in airway calibre, improvement in QoL and small airway function.

  • REC name

    East of England - Cambridge East Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    13/EE/0076

  • Date of REC Opinion

    22 May 2013

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion