The purpose of this study is to develop and evaluate the usefulness of magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI) using inert perfluorinated gases mixed with oxygen for regional assessment of
pulmonary function. The proposed study seeks to determine regional qualitative and
quantitative lung function information in the context of the clinical trajectory of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) defined by the cross sectional cohort component. In the
case of these perfluorinated (PFx)/oxygen mixtures, the availability of multi-liter
quantities allows for wash-in/wash-out image acquisition and analysis allowing direct
measures of gas trapping in a manner not easily achieved with any existing modality.