This title presents a comprehensive review of the most recent strategies used to assess, treat and manage patients in each phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

This issue of Medical Clinics of North America provides the latest essential updates on COPD.? The following topics are covered: pathobiological mechanisms; genes and the disease (alpha-l-antitrypsin); the environment, phenotype, and comorbidity; the role and potential of imaging; pulmonary function and its importance; exercise in testing and therapy; patients' perception and quality of life; exacerbations, causes, prevention, and treatment; an integrated approach to the medical treatment; meducal pneumoplasty, surgical resection, or lung transplant; and smoking cessation and environmental...