Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids

Chronic obstructive pulmonary isease (COPD) involves a group of progressive lung disorders characterized by persistent airflow limitation and chronic respiratory symptoms. Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS), encompassing features of both asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is a group of progressive lung disorders that includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. ACOS leads to complex clinical presentations that combine the inflammatory...

Antiasthma Drugs: β2-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Antiasthma Drugs: β₂-Adrenoceptor Agonists

Bronchodilators are critical in managing asthma, a chronic respiratory condition characterized by airway constriction due to inflammation and hyper-reactivity. Specifically, bronchodilators ease this constriction by relaxing the bronchial muscles, facilitating easier breathing.
One class of bronchodilators includes β2-adrenoceptor agonists. These agents target the β2-adrenoceptors located on bronchial smooth muscle cells. By stimulating these receptors, β2-agonists induce relaxation in these...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting respiratory condition requiring continuous attention and care. It is a progressive lung disease that leads to breathing challenges due to airflow obstruction. It manifests as persistent respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the airways and alveoli, usually due to long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. COPD mainly consists of two primary conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Drugs Used in Lower Respiratory Disorders: Overview

Lower respiratory tract disorders present challenges that often require skilled and nuanced approaches for effective management. Common ailments, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), have prompted the development of intricate treatment strategies involving bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory drugs, each tailored to ease breathing and revitalize the lungs.
Bronchodilators, the first step of respiration enhancement, come in various forms, each with its own mechanism...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management

Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a multifaceted approach to reduce symptoms, prevent exacerbations, improve overall health status, and slow disease progression. Key strategies include lifestyle modifications, pharmacotherapy, supportive therapies, and, in some cases, surgery. Here is an overview of the primary COPD management strategies:
Smoking Cessation

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Airway Mucus Plugs in Asthma and COPD: Pathobiology, Imaging, and Implications for Clinical Trials.

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine·2026

Same author

A Brief History of COPD: As Told by Some of Its Senior Scientists and Clinicians.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Same author

Astegolimab for COPD With Frequent Exacerbations: Pooled Analysis of the ALIENTO and ARNASA Trials.

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine·2026

Same author

Lungs and heart in COPD exacerbations: it takes two to tango.

European journal of internal medicine·2026

Same author

Body Mass Index-related genetic factors and COPD imaging phenotypes.

Annals of the American Thoracic Society·2026

Same author

Cardiovascular Events in COPD: Complementary Role of Cardiac Risk and Coronary Artery Calcium Scores.

Chest·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Published on: February 2, 2024

Bronchodilator reversibility in COPD.

Nicola A Hanania¹, Bartolome R Celli², James F Donohue³

¹Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Asthma Clinical Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

|October 6, 2011

Summary

Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) show significant bronchodilator reversibility, challenging previous beliefs about irreversible airflow obstruction. Understanding this reversibility is key for effective COPD management.

More Related Videos

Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults

Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults

Published on: February 9, 2022

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Published on: February 2, 2024

Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults

Employing the Forced Oscillation Technique for the Assessment of Respiratory Mechanics in Adults

Published on: February 9, 2022

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma

Published on: November 4, 2010

Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Respiratory Physiology

Background:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is defined by airflow limitation.
Historically, COPD was considered to have largely irreversible airflow obstruction.
Recent evidence indicates significant bronchodilator reversibility in a notable proportion of COPD patients.

Purpose of the Study:

To review current findings on the prevalence of bronchodilator reversibility in COPD.
To assess the clinical utility of bronchodilator reversibility in COPD management.
To identify gaps in knowledge and propose future research directions.

Main Methods:

Literature review of recent studies on COPD bronchodilator reversibility.
Analysis of diagnostic criteria and measurement techniques for bronchodilator response.
Evaluation of the predictive value of acute reversibility for long-term treatment response.

Main Results:

A considerable number of COPD patients exhibit significant bronchodilator reversibility.
Standardized assessment of reversibility remains complex and debated.
Lung volume-based measures may be crucial for severe COPD.
Acute reversibility does not reliably predict long-term bronchodilator response.

Conclusions:

Bronchodilator reversibility is a more common and complex feature of COPD than previously thought.
Further research is needed to standardize assessment and clarify its role in predicting treatment outcomes.
Understanding reversibility is essential for optimizing COPD therapy.