What does a low DLCO mean?

A reduced DLCO and a reduced KCO suggest a true interstitial disease such as pulmonary fibrosis or pulmonary vascular disease. It has demonstrated that in healthy patients, the KCO is increased to above normal levels when the DLCO test is performed at volumes less than the TLC.

What is the normal DLCO value for resting healthy adults?

The normal range for DLCO is as follows: 80–120% of its predicted value for men. 76–120% of its predicted value for women.

How do you predict DLCO?

DLCO[predicted for lung volume]=DLCO[predicted]×(0.58+0.42×(VAm/VAp)) KCO[predicted for lung volume]=KCO[predicted]×(0.42+0.58/(VAm/VAp)) with VAm/VAp=measured VA/predicted VA. For example, at VA 50% of predicted, the DLCO predicted for lung volume is 80% and KCO is 160% of that for VA 100% of predicted.

What is low diffusing capacity?

Meaning of a Low Diffusing Capacity Diffusing capacity may be low if lung disease is present that causes the membrane to be thicker, for example, in diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.

What causes low DLCO numbers?

A low DlCO with normal spirometry suggests the presence of pulmonary vascular disease, early interstitial lung disease, emphysema associated with a restrictive lung process, anemia (reduced hemoglobin), or elevated carboxyhemoglobin level.

What does a decline in DLCO indicate?

A decreased DL CO can indicate a thickening or disturbance of the alveolar epithelial-endothelial barrier.

How is DLCO measured?

DLco is measured by sampling end-expiratory gas for carbon monoxide (CO) after patients inspire a small amount of CO, hold their breath, and exhale. Measured DLco should be adjusted for alveolar volume (which is estimated from dilution of helium) and the patient’s hematocrit.

What is DLCO in spirometry?

DLCO or TLCO ( diffusing capacity or t ransfer factor of the lung for carbon monoxide (CO),) is the extent to which oxygen passes from the air sacs of the lungs into the blood. Commonly, it refers to the test used to determine this parameter. It was introduced in 1909.