Lung Capillary Blood Volume Research Articles

Single-Breath Simultaneous Measurement of DLNO and DLCO as Predictor of the Emphysema Component in COPD - A Retrospective Observational Study.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a respiratory condition characterized by heterogeneous abnormalities of the airways and lung parenchyma that cause different clinical presentations. The assessment of the prevailing pathogenetic components underlying COPD is not usually pursued in daily practice, also due to technological limitations and cost. To assess non-invasively the lung emphysema component of COPD by the simultaneous measurement of DLNO and DLCO via a single-breath (sDLNO and sDLCO). COPD patients aged ≥40 years of both genders were recruited consecutively and labelled by computed tomography as "with significant" emphysema (>10% of CT lung volume) or "with negligible" emphysema otherwise. Current lung function tests such as sDLNO, sDLCO and Vc (the lung capillary blood volume) were measured. All possible subsets of independent spirometric and diffusive parameters were tested as predictors of emphysema, and their predicted power compared to each parameter alone by ROC analysis and area under the curve (AUC). Thirty-one patients with "significant emphysema" were compared to thirty-one with "negligible emphysema". FEV1 and FEV1/FVC seemed to be the best spirometric predictors (AUC 0.80 and 0.81, respectively), while sDLCO and Vc had the highest predicted power among diffusive parameters (AUC 0.92 and 0.94, respectively). sDLCO and Vc values were the parameters most correlated to the extent of CT emphysema. Six subsets of independent predictors were identified and included at least one spirometric and one diffusive parameter. According to goodness-to-fit scores (AIC, BIC, log-likelihood and pseudo R2), RV coupled with sDLCO or Vc proved the best predictors of emphysema. When investigating the parenchymal destructive component due to emphysema occurring in COPD, sDLNO, sDLCO and Vc do enhance the predictive power of current spirometric measures substantially. sDLNO, sDLCO and Vc contribute to phenotype of the main pathogenetic components of COPD easily and with high sensitivity. Organizational problems, radiation exposure, time and costs could be reduced, while personalized and precision medicine could be noticeably implemented.

MRNA vaccines protect from the lung microvasculature injury and the capillary blood volume loss occurring in SARS-CoV-2 paucisymptomatic infections.

The reduction of lung capillary blood volume (Vc) had been identified as the microvascular injury mostly underlying the respiratory Long-COVID syndrome following post-COVID-19 pneumonia. The same kind of injury have been recently also found in several individuals after milder paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections. Though current guidelines strongly recommend vac-cination, studies aimed to investigate the in vivo protection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccines on lung microvascular targets still are missing to our best knowledge. to assess the protection of mRNA vaccines from the reduction of lung capillary blood volume (Vc) caused by pauci-symptomatic SARS.CoV-2 infections in vaccinated compared to unvaccinated individuals. Non-smoking individuals with recent paucisymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection were divided into vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. Lung function parameters, including single-breath diffusing capacity and microvascular blood volume, were compared between groups. fifty vaccinated and twenty-five unvaccinated well-matched individuals were studied. Differently than usual lung function parameters, only the single-breath simultaneous assessment of sDLCO, sDLNO/sDLCO ratio and Vc allowed to identify the occurrence of the lung microvascular injury with high sensitivity and specificity (p<0.001). mRNA vaccines proved to exert a high protection from the loss of lung capillary blood volume (Vc) induced by SARS.CoV-2 paucisymptomatic infections (p<0.001). The availability of this non-invasive investigational model should be regarded as a very helpful tool for assessing and comparing in vivo the protective effect of mRNA vaccines on the human microvascular structures of the deep lung.

LAMA improves tissue oxygenation more than LABA in patients with COPD.

The effect of bronchodilators is mainly assessed with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Their impact on oxygenation and lung periphery is less known. Our objective was to compare the action of long-acting β2-agonists (LABA-olodaterol) and muscarinic antagonists (LAMA-tiotropium) on tissue oxygenation in COPD, considering their impact on proximal and peripheral ventilation as well as lung perfusion. FEV1, Helium slope (SHe) from a single-breath washout test (SHe decreases reflecting a peripheral ventilation improvement), frequency dependence of resistance (R5-R19), area under reactance (AX), lung capillary blood volume (Vc) from double diffusion (DLNO/DLCO), and transcutaneous oxygenation (TcO2) were measured before and 2 h post-LABA (day 1) and LAMA (day 3) in 30 patients with COPD (FEV1 54 ± 18% pred; GOLD A 31%/B 48%/E 21%) after 5-7 days of washout, respectively. We found that TcO2 increased more (P = 0.03) after LAMA (11 ± 12% from baseline, P < 001) compared with LABA (4 ± 11%, P = 0.06) despite a lower FEV1 increase (P = 0.03) and similar SHe (P = 0.98), AX (P = 0.63), and R5-R19 decreases (P = 0.37). TcO2 and SHe changes were negatively correlated (r = -0.47, P = 0.01) after LABA, not after LAMA (r = 0.10, P = 0.65). DLNO/DLCO decreased and Vc increased after LAMA (P = 0.04; P = 0.01, respectively) but not after LABA (P = 0.53; P = 0.24). In conclusion, LAMA significantly improved tissue oxygenation in patients with COPD, while only a trend was observed with LABA. The mechanisms involved may differ between both drugs: LABA increased peripheral ventilation, whereas LAMA increased lung capillary blood volume. Should oxygenation differences persist over time, LAMA could arguably become the first therapeutic choice in COPD.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) significantly improved tissue oxygenation in patients with COPD, while only a trend was observed with β2-agonists (LABAs). The mechanisms involved may differ between drugs: increased peripheral ventilation for LABA and likely lung capillary blood volume for LAMA. This could argue for LAMA as the first therapeutic choice in COPD.

Phenotyping lung function disorders in respiratory Long-COVID

Dyspnea is frequently complained for several weeks in Long-COVID, still being its underlying pathophysiology poorly investigated in the clinical setting. Aim: to investigate the lung functional pattern of Long-COVID patients and healthy controls (HC). Non-smokers aged ≥18years, discharged after COVID pneumonia were investigated, were classified as low dyspnea scorers (LDS) or high dyspnea scorers (HDS) if they were not complaining or otherwise still complaining dyspnea 12-16 weeks after discharge. A group of non-smoking HC was compared. Spirometric parameters; usual DLCO; simultaneous single-breath DLNO (sDLNO) and DLCO (sDLCO); lung capillary blood volume (Vc), and expiratory nitric oxide (eNO) were assessed. Their linear association was explored by correlation analysis. Area under the curve (AUC) were used to determine the best predictors of being HC, LDS or HDS, and to establish optimal cut-off values. 40 Long-COVID patients (19 LDS; 21 HDS) and 28 HC were investigated. FEV1, VC and FEV1/VC were equal in LSD and HSD. A decreasing trend (p&lt;0.0001) for DLCO, sDLCO, sDLNO and Vc, and a corresponding increasing trend (p&lt;0.0001) for sDLNO/sDLCO and eNO were detected from HC to HDS patients. sDLNO/sDLCO and Vc resulted the best predictors of belonging to the HDS group. Optimal cut-off values were 113.5 for sDLNO/sDLCO ratio and 58.5 for Vc, respectively. Data suggest the reduction of lung capillary blood volume as the main disorder in these cases and contribute to phenotyping respiratory troubles in Long-COVID. These disorders would be otherwise neglected by usual lung function parameters, due their low specificity.

Long-lasting dyspnoea in patients otherwise clinically and radiologically recovered from COVID pneumonia: a probe for checking persisting disorders in capillary lung volume as a cause.

BackgroundDuring SARS-CoV-2 infection, diffuse alveolar damage and pulmonary microvascular abnormalities are critical events that result in gas exchange disorders of varying severity and duration. The only measure of carbon monoxide (CO) diffusing capacity (DLCO) is unable to distinguish the alveolar from the vascular side of present and residual diffusive abnormalities, and measure of nitric oxide (NO) diffusing capacity (DLNO) is also recommended. Dyspnoea, despite being understudied, persists in a significant proportion of patients for several weeks after hospital discharge. The goal of this study was to look into the underlying cause of long-term dyspnoea in patients who were "clinically and radiologically recovered" from COVID pneumonia by assessing DLCO and DLNO at the same time.MethodsPatients of both genders, aged ≥18 years, who had a CT scan showing complete resolution of COVID-related parenchymal lesions were recruited consecutively. Spirometrical volumes, blood haemoglobin, SpO2, DLCO, DLNO and capillary blood volume (Vc) were measured. Data from patients without dyspnoea (group A) and from patients still claiming dyspnoea after 12-16 weeks from their hospital discharge (group B) were statistically compared.ResultsForty patients were recruited: 19 in group A and 21 in group B. Groups were comparable for their general characteristics and spirometrical volumes, that were in the normal range. Mean values for DLCO, DLNO and Vc were significantly and substantially lower than predicted only in patients of group B (p<0.011; p<0.0036; p<0.02; p<0.001, respectively). The DLNO/ DLCO ratio was higher in group B (p<0.001) and inversely correlated to Vc values (-0.3636).ConclusionsThe single-breath, simultaneous measurement of DLCO, DLNO, and Vc demonstrated that problems with blood gas exchange can persist even after parenchymal lesions have healed completely. Regardless of the normality of spirometric volumes, there was a significant reduction in lung capillary blood volume. In these patients, the cause of long-term dyspnoea may be related to hidden abnormalities in the vascular side of diffusive function. In the near future, novel therapeutic approaches against residual and symptomatic signs of long-COVID are possible.

Role of the Air-Blood Barrier Phenotype in Lung Oxygen Uptake and Control of Extravascular Water.

The air blood barrier phenotype can be reasonably described by the ratio of lung capillary blood volume to the diffusion capacity of the alveolar membrane (Vc/Dm), which can be determined at rest in normoxia. The distribution of the Vc/Dm ratio in the population is normal; Vc/Dm shifts from ∼1, reflecting a higher number of alveoli of smaller radius, providing a high alveolar surface and a limited extension of the capillary network, to just opposite features on increasing Vc/Dm up to ∼6. We studied the kinetics of alveolar-capillary equilibration on exposure to edemagenic conditions (work at ∼60% maximum aerobic power) in hypoxia (HA) (PIO2 90 mmHg), based on an estimate of time constant of equilibration (τ) and blood capillary transit time (Tt). A shunt-like effect was described for subjects having a high Vc/Dm ratio, reflecting a longer τ (>0.5 s) and a shorter Tt (<0.8 s) due to pulmonary vasoconstriction and a larger increase in cardiac output (>3-fold). The tendency to develop lung edema in edemagenic conditions (work in HA) was found to be directly proportional to the value of Vc/Dm as suggested by an estimate of the mechanical properties of the respiratory system with the forced frequency oscillation technique.

Effects of Endurance Training Intensity on Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity at Rest and after Maximal Aerobic Exercise in Young Athletes.

This study compared the effects of varying aerobic training programs on pulmonary diffusing capacity (TLCO), pulmonary diffusing capacity for nitric oxide (TLNO), lung capillary blood volume (Vc) and alveolar–capillary membrane diffusing capacity (DM) of gases at rest and just after maximal exercise in young athletes. Sixteen healthy young runners (16–18 years) were randomly assigned to an intense endurance training program (IET, n = 8) or to a moderate endurance training program (MET, n = 8). The training volume was similar in IET and MET but with different work intensities, and each lasted for 8 weeks. Participants performed a maximal graded cycle bicycle ergometer test to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and maximal aerobic power (MAP) before and after the training programs. Moreover, TLCO, TLNO and Vc were measured during a single breath maneuver. After eight weeks of training, all pulmonary parameters with the exception of alveolar volume (VA) and inspiratory volume (VI) (0.104 < p < 0889; 0.001 < ES < 0.091), measured at rest and at the end of maximal exercise, showed significant group × time interactions (p < 0.05, 0.2 < ES < 4.0). Post hoc analyses revealed significant pre-to-post decreases for maximal heart rates (p < 0.0001, ES = 3.1) and improvements for VO2max (p = 0.006, ES = 2.22) in the IET group. Moreover, post hoc analyses revealed significant pre-to-post improvements in the IET for DM, TLNO, TLCO and Vc (0.001 < p < 0.0022; 2.68 < ES < 6.45). In addition, there were increases in Vc at rest, VO2max, TLNO and DM in the IET but not in the MET participants after eight weeks of training with varying exercise intensities. Our findings suggest that the intensity of training may represent the most important factor in increasing pulmonary vascular function in young athletes.

AB0818 Nitric oxide diffusion and pulmonary capillary blood volume measurement in scleroderma patients

BackgroundCarbon monoxide diffusing capacity test (DLCO) is a non invasive diagnostic method for interstitial lung disease (ILD) and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), frequent and severe complications of systemic sclerosis (SSc)....

Loss of alveolar membrane diffusing capacity and pulmonary capillary blood volume in pulmonary arterial hypertension

BackgroundReduced gas transfer in patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is traditionally attributed to remodeling and progressive loss of pulmonary arterial vasculature that results in decreased capillary blood volume available for gas exchange.MethodsWe tested this hypothesis by determination of lung diffusing capacity (DL) and its components, the alveolar capillary membrane diffusing capacity (Dm) and lung capillary blood volume (Vc) in 28 individuals with PAH in comparison to 41 healthy individuals, and in 19 PAH patients over time. Using single breath simultaneous measure of diffusion of carbon monoxide (DLCO) and nitric oxide (DLNO), DL and Dm were respectively determined, and Vc calculated. Dm and Vc were evaluated over time in relation to standard clinical indicators of disease severity, including brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD) and right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) by echocardiography.ResultsBoth DLCO and DLNO were reduced in PAH as compared to controls and the lower DL in PAH was due to loss of both Dm and Vc (all p < 0.01). While DLCO of PAH patients did not change over time, DLNO decreased by 24 ml/min/mmHg/year (p = 0.01). Consequently, Dm decreased and Vc tended to increase over time, which led to deterioration of the Dm/Vc ratio, a measure of alveolar-capillary membrane functional efficiency without changes in clinical markers.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that lower than normal gas transfer in PAH is due to loss of both Dm and Vc, but that deterioration of Dm/Vc over time is related to worsening membrane diffusion.

Lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusing capacity in children with inflammatory bowel disease

Lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusing capacity in children with inflammatory bowel disease

The effect of posture-induced changes in peripheral nitric oxide uptake on exhaled nitric oxide

Airway and alveolar NO contributions to exhaled NO are being extracted from exhaled NO measurements performed at different flow rates. To test the robustness of this method and the validity of the underlying model, we deliberately induced a change in NO uptake in the peripheral lung compartment by changing body posture between supine and prone. In 10 normal subjects, we measured exhaled NO at target flows ranging from 50 to 350 ml/s in supine and prone postures. Using two common methods, bronchial NO production [Jaw(NO)] and alveolar NO concentration (FANO) were extracted from exhaled NO concentration vs. flow or flow(-1) curves. There was no significant Jaw(NO) difference between prone and supine but a significant FANO decrease from prone to supine ranging from 23 to 33% depending on the method used. Total lung capacity was 7% smaller supine than prone (P = 0.03). Besides this purely volumetric effect, which would tend to increase FANO from prone to supine, the observed degree of FANO decrease from prone to supine suggests a greater opposing effect that could be explained by the increased lung capillary blood volume (V(c)) supine vs. prone (P = 0.002) observed in another set of 11 normal subjects. Taken together with the relative changes of NO and CO transfer factors, this V(c) change can be attributed mainly to pulmonary capillary recruitment from prone to supine. Realistic models for exhaled NO simulation should include the possibility that a portion of the pulmonary capillary bed is unavailable for NO uptake, with a maximum capacity of the pulmonary capillary bed in the supine posture.

Pulmonary dysfunction in transfusion-dependent patients with thalassemia major.

Pulmonary function tests were performed on 62 transfusion-dependent patients with thalassemia major, ranging in age from 8 to 33 years, and receiving chelation therapy with desferrioxamine or deferiprone. Percent predicted values for FVC, FEV1, and PEF were significantly reduced, whereas FEV1/FVC and maximal expiratory flow at 25% FVC were within normal limits, indicating a restrictive disease. Both FVC and FEV1 were negatively correlated with transfusional iron burden as indexed by age. Single-breath carbon monoxide transfer factor was reduced, even after correction for low hemoglobin concentration, and was negatively correlated with iron burden and iron overload, as indexed by serum ferritin levels. Owing to low hemoglobin concentration, blood-diffusing capacity was reduced, in spite of increased lung capillary blood volume, which was, however, adequate to normalize blood diffusing capacity when hemoglobin concentration was only partially restored by transfusion. The diffusing capacity of the alveolar-capillary membrane was substantially decreased and negatively correlated with age and serum ferritin, the fall being primarily attributed to increased membrane thickness. These findings suggest that lung fibrosis and/or interstitial edema related to iron overload are the main cause of pulmonary dysfunction observed in patients with thalassemia major.

Fractional changes in lung capillary blood volume and oxygen saturation during the cardiac cycle in rabbits.

Changes in local pulmonary capillary blood volume (Vc) and oxygen saturation (S) have been difficult to measure in live animals. By utilizing the differences in absorption of light at two wavelengths (650 and 800 nm), we estimated the fractional change in Vc and S during the course of the cardiac cycle in eight anesthetized, ventilated rabbits at low and high lung volumes. Observations were made of the pattern of diffusely backscattered light, from an approximately 1-cm3 volume of lung illuminated with a point source placed on the pleural surface through a thoracotomy. At low lung volume, the fractional change in Vc was approximately 13%, the change in S was approximately 4.6%, and the mean S was close to 77%. The fluctuations in Vc and S lagged behind peak systemic blood pressure by about one-fifth and three-fifths of a cycle, respectively. At high lung volume, there were no important fluctuations in Vc or S, and the mean S was approximately 82%. These results are consistent with fluctuations in pulmonary capillary pressure and gas exchange over the cardiac cycle, and with decreasing capillary compliance with increasing lung volume.

Pulmonary diffusing capacity after maximal exercise.

To determine the effect of maximal exercise on alveolocapillary membrane diffusing capacity (Dm), 12 professional handball players aged 23.4 +/- 3.3 (SD) yr were studied before and during early recovery from a progressive maximal exercise [immediately (t0), 15 min, and 30 min (t30) after exercise]. Lung capillary blood volume and Dm were determined in a one-step maneuver by simultaneous measurement of CO and NO lung transfer (DLCO and DLNO, respectively) with use of the single-breath breath-hold method. At t0, DLCO was elevated (13.1 +/- 12.0%; P < 0.01) but both DLNO and Dm for CO remained unchanged. Between t0 and t30, both DLCO and DLNO decreased significantly. At t30, DLCO was not different from the control resting value. DLNO (and consequently Dm for CO) was significantly lower than the control value at t30 (-8.9 +/- 8.1%; P < 0.01). Lung capillary blood volume was elevated at t0 (18.0 +/- 19.0%; P < 0.01) but progressively decreased to near control resting values at t30. Differences in the postexercise kinetics of both DLCO and DLNO point to a role of the transient increase in pulmonary vascular recruitment during the recovery period. We concluded that Dm was somewhat decreased in the 30 min after maximal exercise of short duration, but the exact pulmonary mechanisms involved remain to be elucidated.

Membrane diffusion of the lungs in patients with chronic renal failure

Patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) and haemodialysis treatment usually have a reduced CO transfer factor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of alveolar wall fibrosis and of anaemia on gas diffusion in the lungs. The NO and CO transfer factors of the lung (TLNO and TLCO) were measured, simultaneously, in 15 patients haemodialysed three times a week for 1-10 yrs. Assuming that NO is highly reactive with blood, Tlno is thus directly proportional to the membrane diffusion factor (DmCO). The lung capillary blood volume (Vc) was derived from the set of the two transfer equations. Transfer factors were measured between haemodialysis sessions. All patients but one were anaemic, with haemoglobin concentrations ranging 61-151 g.l-1. All had decreased Vc, and a decreased DmCO was observed in 14 patients. However, after correction for the anaemia, Vc values were normal with the exception of three patients. The percentage decrease in DmCO with respect to normal was correlated with the time elapsed since the first haemodialysis. These results support the idea of a progressive development of haemodialysis-induced chronic lung disease, that may be related to a mechanism of complement activation by a bio-incompatible membrane (Cuprophane). Accordingly, patients with compromised cardiopulmonary functions should be dialysed with a bio-compatible membrane.

Effect of varying alveolar oxygen partial pressure on diffusing capacity for nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, membrane diffusing capacity and lung capillary blood volume.

1. To examine the effect of varying oxygen partial pressure (PAO2) on nitric oxide (DLNO) and carbon monoxide (DLCO) diffusing capacity (transfer factor), 10 subjects performed combined DLCO/DLNO measurements with the inspired mixture made up with three different oxygen concentrations (25%, 18% and 15%) to give PAO2 values of 12-20 kPa. 2. A novel method is described for calculating membrane diffusing capacity (DM) and pulmonary capillary volume (Qc) from DLNO and DLCO. 3. The mean DMCO was 52.89 mmol min-1 kPa-1 and Qc was 0.056 litre. Reducing PAO2 from 20 to 12 kPa resulted in an increase in DLCO = -0.124 (O2%) + 11.67 (P less than 0.001) and a fall in DLNO = 0.538 (O2%) + 32.01 (P less than 0.001) and a fall in DLNO/DLCO = 0.107 (O2%) + 2.52 (P less than 0.001). DM (P = 0.59) and Qc (P = 0.64) also tended to fall with falling PAO2. 4. It appears more likely that the minor reduction in DLNO that we have observed with falling PAO2 is due to diffusion rather than reaction limitation.

The Effect of Varying Oxygen Tension on Diffusing Capacity for No and CO (DLNO and DLCO), Membrane Diffusing Capacity (DM) and Lung Capillary Blood Volume (QC)

The Effect of Varying Oxygen Tension on Diffusing Capacity for No and CO (DLNO and DLCO), Membrane Diffusing Capacity (DM) and Lung Capillary Blood Volume (QC)

Pulmonary diffusion limitation after prolonged strenuous exercise

To determine the effect of strenuous prolonged exercise on alveolo-capillary membrane diffusing capacity, 11 marathon runners aged 37 ± 7 years (mean ± SD) were studied before and during early recovery (28 ± 14 min) from a marathon race. Lung capillary blood volume (Vc) and the alveolo-capillary diffusing capacity (Dm) were determined in a one-step maneuver by simultaneous measurements of CO and NO lung transfer (D l CO and D l NO, respectively) using the single breath-holding method. After the race, both D l CO and D l NO were significantly decreased in all subjects − 10.9 ± 4.8%, P < 10 −4 and −29.0 ± 11.1%, P < 10 −4, respectively). The mean value of the derived Dm CO decreased by −29.3 ± 11.1 %, whereas Vc had no entirely returned to control resting value. Although these results do not indicate the detailed mechanism involved, interstitial lung fluid was suspected to accumulate, particularly in alveoli, during the race. We concluded that the high overall work load and the extended duration of the exercise both contributed to a transient change in the structure of the alveolo-capillary membrane thereby affecting the diffusing capacity of the alveolo-capillary membrane.

Determination of lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusing capacity in patients with COLD using the NO-CO method

Lung capillary blood volume (Qc) and the membrane diffusing capacity (Dm) can both be determined from the combined measurement of nitric oxide (NO) and carbon monoxide (CO) transfers using the single-breath method. In ten healthy subjects, no differences was observed between the values of transfer factor of the lungs for carbon monoxide (TLCO) recovered after a 3 s or 9 s breath-holding time (tBH). The NO-CO method could thus be used with a short tBH and a low fraction of inspired nitric oxide (FINO) (8 ppm). However, in ten patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), the values of both transfer factor of the lungs for nitric oxide (TLNO) and TLCO were underestimated by around 20% at a short tBH (3 s). In COLD patients, the NO-CO method therefore requires a longer tBH and a higher inspired fraction of NO (30 ppm) than in healthy subjects. Similar values of Dm and Qc were obtained using the NO-CO method and the two-step conventional method, at two levels of the oxygenation. The former method gave less scatter. Furthermore, TLNO is independent of the fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) and directly proportional to carbon monoxide membrane diffusing capacity (DmCO).

Determination of lung capillary blood volume and membrane diffusing capacity in man by the measurements of NO and CO transfer

NO and CO lung transfer values (T l) were measured separately in 14 healthy subjects (7 men, 7 women), using the single breath technique. Five repetitive maneuvers were performed by each subject for T l NO and T l CO determinations. The inspired mixture contained either 8 ppm NO or 0.25% CO, with 2% He, 21% O 2 in N 2. In order to measure an appreciable fraction of NO in the alveolar gas it was necessary to shorten the breath holding time to 3 sec. T l NO was about five times greater than T l CO. This result suggests that the specific conductance of blood (ϑ) for NO is very high and that the second term of the second member of the equation 1/T l NO = 1/Dm NO + 1/(ϑ NO · Qc) is therefore negligible. Dm CO and Qc values can thus be computed from T l NO and T l CO measurements. The results obtained with this method are very close to those reported in the literature; for men Dm CO = 79.0 ± 14.3 ml · min −1 · Torr −1, Qc = 78.0 ± 13.2 ml and for women Dm CO = 59.0 ± 10.1 ml · min −1 · Torr −1, Qc = 59.5 ± 11.6 ml.