GoingToMeet

In patients with advanced COPD a ‘spiral exists so that exertional breathlessness leads to immobility which in turn leads to a loss of muscle from the locomotor muscles which also exhibit a shift in the muscle phenotype towards anaerobic metabolism and a preponderance of fatigable Type II fibres. The anaerobic metabolism lm leads to excessive CO2 production during exercise; since pulmonary mechanics prevent the CO2 being removed by hyperventilation this leads to further exercise limitation. In his talk Professor Polkey will elaborate on the mechanisms underlying this spiral and on non-pharmacologic strategies which could reverse it.