New insights into COPD pathophysiology

Symposium
Chairs: P. M. A. Calverley (Liverpool, United Kingdom), B. Crestani (Paris, France)
Aims: The aims of this symposium will be:
• to improve understanding of the physiological basis of COPD;
• to explain the most recent concepts in COPD pathogenesis;
• to update on new physiological methods, on current concepts of computed tomography evaluation of airway and parenchymal disease in COPD, and on inflammatory and immunological changes associated with the disease and relevant to its pathogenesis;
• to explain how differences in these new physiological outcomes influence the response to treatment.

Expiratory flow limitation in COPD – when does it happen and how do you know? R. Farré (Barcelona, Spain)
Inflammatory pathways in COPD. What we know and potential clinical implications M. Saetta (Padova, Italy)
Imaging the lungs in COPD: structure-function relationships updated H. Coxson (Vancouver, B.C., Canada)
Clinical implications of the new concepts regarding COPD pathophysiology P. M. A. Calverley (Liverpool, United Kingdom)