The effect of bronchodilators on lung ventilation in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common disorder which causes changes within the airways and blood vessels of the lung. As a result of these changes, it can cause problems with breathing and the way air and oxygen travels to different parts of the lung. We have several different ways of looking at how bad COPD is, however none of these are perfect. By understanding better the way in which airways behave in COPD, and the effects this has on blood flow within the lung, the better able we will be to investigate, develop new medications, and treat COPD. In this study we will be investigating the way COPD affects breathing and blood flow by looking at changes in lung function. We will then compare this information with pictures of breathing and blood flow obtained from a nuclear medicine scan.