Bronchiectasis

Bronchiectasis, or irreversible lung damage, is the end result of uncontrolled episodes of pulmonary inflammation and infection.  Increased use of high-tech technologies including high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans show that bronchiectasis is far more prevalent than previously believed. Conservative estimates suggest that at least 100,000 Americans are affected. In the U.S. alone, costs associated with bronchiectasis exceed $630 million annually.

Bronchiectasis may be triggered by scores of diseases or conditions complicated by mucus hypersecretion and/or diminished or absent mucociliary clearance function. The common denominator among conditions associated with bronchiectasis is their ability to increase susceptibility to a vicious cycle of recurrent respiratory infection terminating in profound, irreversible lung damage.

Symptoms include...
  • Chronic cough
  • Hypersecretion of thick, purulent sputum
  • Declining lung function
  • Dyspnea
  • General debility
Disease progression is marked by...
  • Frequent, severe respiratory exacerbations
  • Gross lung tissue damage
  • Mucus plugging
  • Respiratory failure
  • Premature death

Effective removal of pooled respiratory secretions, combined with antibiotics and other drugs, can moderate episodes of acute illness and significantly slow disease progression. In patients at-risk for or diagnosed with bronchiectasis, routine daily airway clearance therapy (ACT) is recognized as the standard of care cornerstone of disease management.

To view all clinical HFCC studies…
See also…

    Articles

  • Braverman J, Miller H. High-frequency chest compression: a practical therapy for patients with bronchiectasis. Respir Therp 2008; 3 (1): 22-26. [Link]
  • Barker AF. Bronchiectasis. N Engl J Med. 2002; 346 (18): 1383-1393. [Link]

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