Static Lung Hyperinflation and Sympathetic Nerve Activity-Associated Large Artery Stiffness in COPD Patients

The goal of this study is to evaluate the acute effects of a long-acting bronchodilator on pulmonary function, vascular function and muscle sympathetic nerve activity in individuals with COPD. Individuals will be recruited from previous pulmonary research cohorts at The University of Iowa hospitals and clinics. Individuals that are interested in the study and are deemed eligible to participate will have a total of 3 visits to the laboratory, which includes the screening and consent (visit 1) that will last approximately 1 hour. Visits 2 and 3 are experimental visits and will be more extensive (\~4 hours). Participants will be randomized to receive either a long-acting bronchodilator or a placebo inhaler at the first experimental visit, followed by either the placebo inhaler or the long-acting bronchodilator at the second experimental visit. Assessments of pulmonary function, vascular function (via non-invasive, well-established techniques), and muscle sympathetic nerve activity will be performed at both experimental visits.