Utilizzo della DLCOsb nello studio dei risultati del test da sforzo in pazienti con o senza alterazioni ventilatorie

DLCOsb is a standardised procedure useful in the evaluation of the lung, vessel and blood capacity of transferring gases from the air to the blood itself. Furthermore DLCOsb capacity in predicting exercise related oxygen desaturation is also well known. Aim of our study was to evaluate the efficacy of DLCOsb and its two components VA and KCO in predicting the results of cardio-pulmonary exercise test in non cardiopathic subjects with or without respiratory diseases (obstructive, restrictive or both). 101 subjects were enrolled and sub-maximal cardiopulmonary exercise test, DLCOsb, spirometry, body plethismography and arterial blood gases were performed. The patients were divided into two subgroups, showing or not oxygen desaturation during exercise. All variables, except for BMI and PaCO2, were different in the two subgroups of patients. DLCOsb showed the highest correlation index, no resulting predictive of the maximal work load reached. A DLCOsb less than 55% (predicted) value showed by sum of sensibility and specificity higher than an analogous cut-off value of KCO. In conclusion our study has evidenced a good predictivity of DLCOsb for oxygen desaturation not influenced by the subject's ventilatory profile. KCO, isolately considered although essential in DLCOsb interpretation, doesn't offer, substancial advantages when compared with DLCOsb

Standardisation of lung function testing: the authors' replies to readers' comments

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