Pulmonary carbon monoxide diffusing capacity with the single breath technique (DL, COsb). Procedure and recommendations

Abstract

Pulmonary carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (DL,CO), also referred as lung transfer factor of carbon monoxide (TL,CO) is used to evaluate the transfer of oxygen from the alveolar space to the hemoglobin erythrocytes contained in the pulmonary capillaries. In this manuscript we address the physiological principles of testing DL,CO with the single breath technique (DL,COsb) and issue recommendations for their implementation as well as for interpretation. The procedure is compliant with the current standards published in 2005 by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) and the European Respiratory Society (ERS).