Annual Congress Barcelona 2010

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Severe exacerbations in asthma and COPD: new causes, mechanisms and models of care

Symposium
Chairs: I. Horvath (Budapest, Hungary), P. Gibson (Newcastle, Australia), M. Ichinose (Wakayama, Japan)
Aims: Severe exacerbations in asthma and COPD are common and serious events. They have much in common in terms of aetiology and potential mechanisms. Management of these events remains a major challenge for respiratory clinicians. New data on aetiology and mechanisms can now be combined with better management approaches and the following will be addressed in this session:
- aetiology (viruses/allergens) new viruses, new mechanisms,
- experimental models,
- fatal exacerbations,
- long-term consequences,
- prevention strategies,
- severe exacerbations in asthma and COPD causing a substantial burden of illness.
What are the similarities and differences between these events in asthma and COPD? What are the new developments in understanding mechanisms and how can these inform practice?

Aetiology of exacerbations of asthma and COPD: new viruses, new mechanisms P. Wark (New Lambton, Australia)
What can we learn from models to study exacerbation mechanisms in asthma and COPD? S. L. Johnston (London, United Kingdom)
Prevention and management of exacerbations of asthma and COPD M. Fitzgerald (Vancouver, Canada)
Organisation of care for COPD exacerbations: new models C. Hernandez (Barcelona, Spain)