Background Existing computed tomography (CT) vascular pruning measures rely on volumes, such as the proportion of blood volume in vessels with cross-sectional area (CSA) ≤5 mm 2 or CSA ≤10 mm 2 /total blood vessel volume (BV5/TBV or BV10/TBV, respectively), but may underestimate vascular pruning due to blood redistribution to larger vessels in individuals with milder COPD. We aim to develop a novel CT vessel measure, the total vessel count (TVC), quantify small and combined small/intermediate vessel count percentages, and compare these measures with BV5/TBV and BV10/TBV in terms of associations with lung function and its decline.
As a secondary aim, associations with exercise capacity and COPD symptoms will be investigated. Methods CanCOLD (Canadian Cohort Obstructive Lung Disease) participants underwent CT imaging.
BV5/TBV and BV10/TBV were generated using vessel segmentation. TVC and small (CSA ≤5 mm 2 , VC ≤5 /TVC) and combined small/intermediate (CSA ≤10 mm 2 , VC ≤10 /TVC) vessel count percentages were calculated.
European Respiratory Journal published a clinical update in Critical Care on 05 Mar 2026.
The item focuses on Computed tomography total vessel count and vessel count percentages: associations with exercise capacity, symptoms and rapid FEV1 decline in COPD.
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