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Research Article Free access | 10.1172/JCI106066

Frequency dependence of compliance as a test for obstruction in the small airways

Ann J. Woolcock, N. J. Vincent, and Peter T. Macklem

Respiratory Division, Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

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Respiratory Division, Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Find articles by Vincent, N. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

Respiratory Division, Department of Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada

Find articles by Macklem, P. in: JCI | PubMed | Google Scholar

Published June 1, 1969 - More info

Published in Volume 48, Issue 6 on June 1, 1969
J Clin Invest. 1969;48(6):1097–1106. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI106066.
© 1969 The American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published June 1, 1969 - Version history
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Abstract

We selected five bronchitics and four asthmatics in remission, whose routine lung function tests were not significantly abnormal. Dynamic compliance was measured at different respiratory frequencies and the results compared with those obtained from a normal control group. In all patients compliance was frequency dependent and remained so after the administration of bronchodilator aerosols. Compliance was frequency dependent in only one normal subject, and this was completely reversed by bronchodilators. Because the elastic properties of the patients' lungs were normal, and because pulmonary resistance was normal or only minimally increased, we interpret these results as indicating obstruction in peripheral airways.

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