Dynamic single slice 2D coronal lung MRI detects metronome-paced tachypnea (MPT) - induced hyperinflation in COPD patients

Metronome-paced tachypnea (MPT) is a technique where a patient breathes rapidly with a fixed frequency (40 breaths / minute). MPT induces dynamic hyperinflation and allows investigation of potential stress-driven effects on ventilation parameters. Fifteen patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and thirty healthy subjects underwent MRI with a 2D coronal lung MR image acquired repeatedly with a temporal resolution of 200 ms during resting tidal breathing (RTB) and MPT. The decrease of fractional ventilation (FV) and the increase of end-expiratory lung area (EELA) during MPT was significantly higher in COPD patients compared to respective healthy subjects.