scholarly journals Implementing the Three-Equation Method of Measuring Single Breath Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capacity

1996 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian L Graham ◽  
Joseph T Mink ◽  
David J Cotton

Conventional methods of measuring the single breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLcoSB) are based on the Krogh equation, which is valid only during breath holding. Rigid standardization is used to approximate a pure breath hold manoeuvre, but variations in performing the manoeuvre cause errors in the measurement of DLcoSB. The authors previously described a method of measuring DLcoSBusing separate equations describing carbon monoxide uptake during each phase of the manoeuvre: inhalation, breath holding and exhalation. The method is manoeuvre-independent, uses all of the exhaled alveolar gas to improve estimates of mean DLcoSBand lung volume, and is more accurate and precise than conventional methods. A slow, submaximal, more physiological single breath manoeuvre can be used to measure DLcoSBin patients who cannot achieve the flow rates and breath hold times necessary for the standardized manoeuvre. The method was initially implemented using prototype equipment but commercial systems are now available that are capable of implementing this method. The authors describe how to implement the method and discuss considerations to be made in its use.

1993 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
pp. 927-932 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. Cotton ◽  
M. B. Prabhu ◽  
J. T. Mink ◽  
B. L. Graham

In normal seated subjects we increased single-breath ventilation inhomogeneity by changing both the preinspiratory lung volume and breath-hold time and examined the ensuing effects on two different techniques of measuring the diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO). We measured the mean single-breath DLCO using the three-equation method (DLCOSB-3EQ) and also measured DLCO over discrete intervals during exhalation by the "intrabreath" method (DLCOexhaled). We assessed the distribution of ventilation using the normalized phase III slope for helium (SN). DLCOSB-3EQ was unaffected by preinspiratory lung volume and breath-hold time. DLCOexhaled increased with increasing preinspiratory lung volume and decreased with increasing breath-hold time. These changes correlated with the simultaneously observed changes in ventilation inhomogeneity as measured by SN (P < 0.01). We conclude that measurements of DLCOexhaled do not accurately reflect the mean DLCO. Intrabreath methods of measuring DLCO are based on the slope of the exhaled CO concentration curve, which is affected by both ventilation and diffusion inhomogeneities. Although DLCOexhaled may theoretically provide information about the distribution of CO uptake, the concomitant effects of ventilation nonuniformity on DLCOexhaled may mimic or mask the effects of diffusion nonuniformity.


1998 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 606-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hartmut Heller ◽  
Gabi Fuchs ◽  
Klaus-Dieter Schuster

Heller, Hartmut, Gabi Fuchs, and Klaus-Dieter Schuster. Pulmonary diffusing capacities for oxygen-labeled CO2 and nitric oxide in rabbits. J. Appl. Physiol. 84(2): 606–611, 1998.—We determined the pulmonary diffusing capacity (Dl) for18O-labeled CO2(C18O2) and nitric oxide (NO) to estimate the membrane component of the respective gas conductances. Six anesthetized paralyzed rabbits were ventilated by a computerized ventilatory servo system. Single-breath maneuvers were automatically performed by inflating the lungs with gas mixtures containing 0.9% C18O2or 0.05% NO in nitrogen, with breath-holding periods ranging from 0 to 1 s for C18O2and from 2 to 8 s for NO. The alveolar partial pressures of C18O2and NO were determined by using respiratory mass spectrometry. Dl was calculated from gas exchange during inflation, breath hold, and deflation. We obtained values of 14.0 ± 1.1 and 2.2 ± 0.1 (mean value ± SD) ml ⋅ mmHg−1 ⋅ min−1for[Formula: see text]and Dl NO, respectively. The measured[Formula: see text]/Dl NOratio was one-half that of the theoretically predicted value according to Graham’s law (6.3 ± 0.5 vs. 12, respectively). Analyses of the several mechanisms influencing the determination of[Formula: see text]and Dl NOand their ratio are discussed. An underestimation of the membrane diffusing component for CO2 is considered the likely reason for the low[Formula: see text]/Dl NOratio obtained.


1981 ◽  
Vol 51 (5) ◽  
pp. 1306-1313 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. L. Graham ◽  
J. T. Mink ◽  
D. J. Cotton

Using three conventional methods and a new method we measured the single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide [DLCO(SB)] in a group of normal subjects. Whereas the conventional methods calculated DLCO(SB) from a single equation valid only for breath holding, the new method used three equations, one for each phase of the single-breath maneuver, i.e., inhalation, breath holding, and exhalation. We found that while the conventional methods of calculating DLCO(SB) were greatly affected by variations in the way in which the single-breath maneuver was performed and/or the way in which the alveolar gas sample was collected, these variations had little effect on the calculations of DLCO(SB) using the new method. These results were in close agreement with results from a computerized mathematical lung model in which the diffusing capacity did not change with lung volume. We concluded that the new method significantly improves the accuracy and precision of DLCO(SB) measurements while reducing the effects of maneuver variability. For these reasons comparisons of DLCO(SB) values between patients and normal subjects or between two groups with different pulmonary function may be more valid using the new method than using conventional methods.


2006 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 544-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andres Castillo ◽  
Conrado J. Llapur ◽  
Tanya Martinez ◽  
Jeff Kisling ◽  
Tamica Williams-Nkomo ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
pp. 1500677 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathias Munkholm ◽  
Jacob Louis Marott ◽  
Lars Bjerre-Kristensen ◽  
Flemming Madsen ◽  
Ole Find Pedersen ◽  
...  

The aim of this study was to determine reference equations for the combined measurement of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (CO) and nitric oxide (NO) (DLCONO). In addition, we wanted to appeal for consensus regarding methodology of the measurement including calculation of diffusing capacity of the alveolo-capillary membrane (Dm) and pulmonary capillary volume (Vc).DLCONO was measured in 282 healthy individuals aged 18–97 years using the single-breath technique and a breath-hold time of 5 s (true apnoea period). The following values were used: 1) specific conductance of nitric oxide (θNO)=4.5 mLNO·mLblood−1·min−1·mmHg−1; 2) ratio of diffusing capacity of the membrane for NO and CO (DmNO/DmCO)=1.97; and 3) 1/red cell CO conductance (1/θCO)=(1.30+0.0041·mean capillary oxygen pressure)·(14.6/Hb concentration in g·dL−1).Reference equations were established for the outcomes of DLCONO, including DLCO and DLNO and the calculated values Dm and Vc. Independent variables were age, sex, height and age squared.By providing new reference equations and by appealing for consensus regarding the methodology, we hope to provide a basis for future studies and clinical use of this novel and interesting method.


2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (2) ◽  
pp. 1600962 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald S. Zavorsky ◽  
Connie C.W. Hsia ◽  
J. Michael B. Hughes ◽  
Colin D.R. Borland ◽  
Hervé Guénard ◽  
...  

Diffusing capacity of the lung for nitric oxide (DLNO), otherwise known as the transfer factor, was first measured in 1983. This document standardises the technique and application of single-breathDLNO. This panel agrees that 1) pulmonary function systems should allow for mixing and measurement of both nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) gases directly from an inspiratory reservoir just before use, with expired concentrations measured from an alveolar “collection” or continuously sampledviarapid gas analysers; 2) breath-hold time should be 10 s with chemiluminescence NO analysers, or 4–6 s to accommodate the smaller detection range of the NO electrochemical cell; 3) inspired NO and oxygen concentrations should be 40–60 ppm and close to 21%, respectively; 4) the alveolar oxygen tension (PAO2) should be measured by sampling the expired gas; 5) a finite specific conductance in the blood for NO (θNO) should be assumed as 4.5 mL·min-1·mmHg-1·mL-1of blood; 6) the equation for 1/θCO should be (0.0062·PAO2+1.16)·(ideal haemoglobin/measured haemoglobin) based on breath-holdingPAO2and adjusted to an average haemoglobin concentration (male 14.6 g·dL−1, female 13.4 g·dL−1); 7) a membrane diffusing capacity ratio (DMNO/DMCO) should be 1.97, based on tissue diffusivity.


1980 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 566-570 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Cassidy ◽  
M. Ramanathan ◽  
G. L. Rose ◽  
R. L. Johnson

The diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) varies directly with lung volume (VA) when measured during a breath-holding interval. DLCO measured during a slow exhalation from total lung capacity (TLC) to functional residual capacity (FRC) does not vary as VA changes. Since VA is reached by inhaling during breath holding and by exhaling during the slow exhalation maneuver, we hypothesized that the variability in the relation between DLCO and VA was due to hysteresis. To test this hypothesis, breath-holding measurements of DLCO were made at three lung volumes, both when VA was reached by inhaling from residual volume (RV) and when Va was reached by exhaling from TLC. At 72% TLC, DLCO was 22% higher when VA was reached by exhalation compared to inhalation (P < 0.02). At 52% TLC, DLCO was 19% higher when VA was reached by exhalation compared to exhalation (P < 0.005). DCLO measured during a slow exhalation fell on the exhalation limb of the CLCO/VA curve. these data indicate that there is hysteresis in DLCO with respect to lung volume.


1979 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Rose ◽  
S. S. Cassidy ◽  
R. L. Johnson

Single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO) increases as lung volume increases above functional residual capacity (FRC). However, the physiological mechanism responsible for this increase remains controversial. This volume dependence of diffusing capacity could reflect changing regional distribution of inspired air as lung volume increases rather than a change in capillary blood volume or surface area for gas exchange. We measured DLCO during breath holding and during rebreathing with a technique employed to mix respired gases throughout the lung thereby minimizing regional distribution differences. Measurements were made 1,500 ml above FRC and near total lung capacity (TLC). Breath holding DLCO was 18% higher near TLC than at 1,500 ml above FRC (P less than 0.05). Rebreathing DLCO was 16% higher near TCL than at 1,500 ml above FRC (P less than 0.01). Equality of results by the two techniques indicates that changes in DLCO with lung volume are not a consequence of the changing distribution of inspired air. Our results are compatible with the hypothesis that effective surface area of the lung increases as lung volume expands.


2008 ◽  
Vol 104 (4) ◽  
pp. 1094-1100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Verbanck ◽  
Daniel Schuermans ◽  
Sophie Van Malderen ◽  
Walter Vincken ◽  
Bruce Thompson

It has long been assumed that the ventilation heterogeneity associated with lung disease could, in itself, affect the measurement of carbon monoxide transfer factor. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential estimation errors of carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DlCO) measurement that are specifically due to conductive ventilation heterogeneity, i.e., due to a combination of ventilation heterogeneity and flow asynchrony between lung units larger than acini. We induced conductive airway ventilation heterogeneity in 35 never-smoker normal subjects by histamine provocation and related the resulting changes in conductive ventilation heterogeneity (derived from the multiple-breath washout test) to corresponding changes in diffusing capacity, alveolar volume, and inspired vital capacity (derived from the single-breath DlCO method). Average conductive ventilation heterogeneity doubled ( P < 0.001), whereas DlCO decreased by 6% ( P < 0.001), with no correlation between individual data ( P > 0.1). Average inspired vital capacity and alveolar volume both decreased significantly by, respectively, 6 and 3%, and the individual changes in alveolar volume and in conductive ventilation heterogeneity were correlated ( r = −0.46; P = 0.006). These findings can be brought in agreement with recent modeling work, where specific ventilation heterogeneity resulting from different distributions of either inspired volume or end-expiratory lung volume have been shown to affect DlCO estimation errors in opposite ways. Even in the presence of flow asynchrony, these errors appear to largely cancel out in our experimental situation of histamine-induced conductive ventilation heterogeneity. Finally, we also predicted which alternative combination of specific ventilation heterogeneity and flow asynchrony could affect DlCO estimate in a more substantial fashion in diseased lungs, irrespective of any diffusion-dependent effects.


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