The Effect of Inhaled Nitric Oxide on Pulmonary Gas-exchange in COPD
Status:
Not yet recruiting
Trial end date:
2024-02-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disorder commonly caused by smoking,
which makes breathing more difficult. When COPD patients exercise, they are not efficient
breathers and this leads to serious breathing difficulties, which often causes these patients
to stop exercise at low intensities. Even though patients with a mild form of COPD have
relatively well preserved lung function, they still have inefficient breathing during
exercise. The investigators think that these individuals have problems exchanging fresh gas
(i.e., oxygen) into the blood stream because of poor lung blood vessel function. The
investigators will test whether inhaled medications, specifically nitric oxide, can improve
lung blood vessel function and decrease breathing difficulties during exercise. With this
research, the investigators will understand more about breathing efficiency and lung blood
vessel function in individuals with mild COPD, and find out whether improving lung blood
vessel function helps COPD patients breathe easier and exercise longer. Understanding the
reasons behind the feeling of difficult breathing may lead to more effective therapy and
improved quality of life in COPD patients.