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Abstract #2544

Relationship Between Lung Function and Lung Structure in Smokers as Measured by Hyperpolarized Helium-3 MRI

Chengbo Wang1, Talissa A. Altes1, John P. Mugler, III1,2, Eduard E. de Lange1, Robert M. Strieter3, Yun M. Shim3,4

1Radiology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; 2Biomedical Engineering, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; 3Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States; 4Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, United States


Short-time-scale (STS) and long-time-scale (LTS) helium-3 ADC values were measured in the lungs of smokers and found to be moderately correlated with %predFEV1, but poorly correlated with exercise stress testing, possibly because non-respiratory factors may significantly affect exercise capacity. STS helium-3 ADC values did not correlate with %DLCO while LTS ADC values were moderately correlated with %DLCO. These results support an association between lung microstructural alterations caused by cigarette smoking and functional changes in FEV1 and %DLCO, and suggest that LTS ADC is more sensitive than STS ADC in detecting early pulmonary injury.