Pulmonology Book

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Diffusing CapacityAka: Diffusing Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide, DLCO

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  1. See Also
    1. Pulmonary Function Test
    2. Lung Volumes
  2. Background
    1. Capacity of lung to transfer gas across alveoli
    2. Alveoli exposed to carbon monoxide
    3. Measure disappearance of carbon monoxide from the lung
  3. Technique: Single-Breath DLCO for patients at rest
    1. Patient takes a full Vital Capacity breath
    2. Inhalation mixture
      1. Carbon Monoxide 0.3%
      2. Helium 10% (Used to determine Lung Volume)
    3. Breath held to Total Lung Capacity for 5-10 seconds
    4. Alveolar gas sample taken after washout
  4. Causes of Decreased DLCO
    1. Increased alveolar membrane thickness
      1. Interstitial pulmonary fibrosis
      2. Asbestosis
      3. Sarcoidosis
    2. Decreased alveolar membrane area
      1. Pneumonectomy
    3. Combination of factors
      1. Emphysema
      2. Bronchiolitis Obliterans with Organizing Pneumonia
  5. Falsely Abnormal DLCO if Hemoglobin not 15 g/dl
    1. Falsely elevated DLCO
      1. Polycythemia Vera
      2. Early Congestive Heart Failure
    2. Falsely reduced DLCO
      1. Anemia
    3. Corrected DLCO = DLCO / (0.07 x Hemoglobin)

Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capability Test (C1516251)

Definition (NCI)A measurement of carbon monoxide (CO) transfer from inspired gas to pulmonary capillary blood. During the test, the subject inspires a gas containing CO and one or more tracer gases to allow determination of the gas exchanging capability of the lungs.
ConceptsDiagnostic Procedure (T060)
EnglishCarbon Monoxide Diffusing Capability Test, Diffusion Capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide, DLCO, PFT/DLCO, Pulmonary Function Test/Carbon Monoxide Diffusing Capability
CreditsDerived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)



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