Bronchitis Chronic bronchitis (“blue bloater”) Pathology Hyperplasia of mucus-secreting glands in bronchi Reid index (thickness of gland layer/total thickness of bronchial wall) > 50%. Features Productive cough for > 3 months per year (not necessarily consecutive) for 2 or more years Findings: wheezing, crackles, cyanosis (early onset hypoxemia due to shunting), late-onset dyspnea, CO2 retention (hypercapnia), 2° polycythemia Marc Imhotep Cray, M.D.
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