Functional and Structural Lung Imaging in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This study aims to use novel proton-based MRI techniques to assess lung function and structure in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and alpha-1-anti-trypsin deficiency (A1ATD). These novel MRI measures will be compared to matched contemporary clinical diagnostic tools, namely pulmonary function tests (PFTs) and computed tomography (CT) scans. MRI has the advantages of avoiding ionising radiation exposure (unlike CT scans) and can also provide regional measures of lung function (unlike PFTs which provide global measures of function). In addition, these MRI techniques do not require the use of any inhaled or injected contrast agents. Some patients enrolled in this study will be undergoing a lung volume reduction (LVR) procedure as part of their normal clinical care. LVR is an intervention for patients with severe lung disease and hyperinflation. It is a palliative therapy that helps to reduce lung hyperinflation through insertion of small valves in the airway or surgical removal of parts of the lung. This can lead to improvements in symptoms such as breathlessness and improve exercise tolerance due to better functioning of the lung. In this study, we will explore how lung MRI measures can be used to assess patients before and after an LVR intervention. This study will take place at the University of Nottingham in collaboration with Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust. The study will last for 3 years and participants will be asked to attend a screening visit (lasting up to 1 hour) and either one or two study visits (each lasting up to 3 hours).