Abstract
Background: The diffusion capacity of the lung for nitric oxide (DL<sub>NO</sub>) is supposed to reflect the properties of the alveolocapillary membrane better than the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL<sub>CO</sub>), due to a much stronger binding of NO to haemoglobin (Hb). Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Hb concentration on the DL<sub>NO</sub>. Methods: The DL<sub>NO</sub> and DL<sub>CO</sub> (single-breath method) were measured in 10 anaemic patients before and shortly after red cell transfusion. Results: The mean increase in Hb concentration was 2.6 g/dl. Whereas DL<sub>CO</sub> increased as predicted by the reference equations, the DL<sub>NO</sub> did not change: mean DL<sub>CO</sub> rose from 13.6 to 16.5 ml/min/mm Hg (increase of 122%), mean DL<sub>CO</sub> corrected for Hb rose from 18.8 to 19.3 ml/min/mm Hg (103%) and mean DL<sub>NO</sub> rose from 75.6 to 77.8 ml/min/mm Hg (103%). Conclusion: The DL<sub>NO</sub> is not influenced by Hb concentration.
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