Downstream Effects of Airway Mucus Plugs on 129Xenon MRI Following Biologic Therapy
In this study, xenon MRI will be used to evaluate regional functional consequences of mucus plugs in the lungs of patients with severe asthma. Mucus plugs will be identified using CT imaging, and xenon MRI will be used to evaluate ventilation and gas exchange impairments in regions of the lungs corresponding to the airways downstream of mucus plugs.
• Adequate completion of informed consent process with written documentation
• Patients 18 - 65 years old
• Physician diagnosis of asthma for \> 1 year
• Able to perform reproducible spirometry according to ATS criteria based on clinical PFTs within previous 30 days of enrollment
• All racial/ethnic backgrounds may participate
• Blood eosinophil count \> 300 cells/μL
• Smoking history \<10 pack years
• No smoking history (including vapes, cigar, or marijuana use) in the last 3 months
• About to initiate asthma therapy with either dupilumab, tezepelumab, or benralizumab as part of their standard of care