Extract
Multiple breath washout (MBW) tests have gained interest for clinical use, with normal values being published for the lung clearance index (LCI) in the paediatric [1, 2] and adult range [3, 4]. In adults, the greater interest in mechanisms of acinar and conductive ventilation heterogeneity (reflected in Sacin and Scond, respectively) drove the adoption of a 1 L breathing protocol to ensure a clear estimate of phase III slope. Alternatively, natural breathing protocols aimed to enhance feasibility in paediatric settings [5] have also been used in some adult studies [6].
Abstract
By studying tidal volume dependence of diagnostic multiple breath washout (MBW) indices, it can be determined how breathing patterns can be modulated to obtain less variable MBW outcomes and shorten MBW test duration in the clinical routine https://bit.ly/32GxRWj
Footnotes
Author contributions: S. Verbanck conceived of the study, analysed the data and co-wrote the manuscript. D. Schuermans performed the experiments. M. Paiva, P.D. Robinson and E. Vanderhelst provided a scientific critique of the data and co-wrote the manuscript.
Conflict of interest: D. Schuermans has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: M. Paiva has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: P.D. Robinson has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: E. Vanderhelst has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: S. Verbanck has nothing to disclose.
Support statement: This project was supported by the Fund for Scientific Research-Flanders (FWO-Vlaanderen, Belgium).
- Received July 13, 2020.
- Accepted September 14, 2020.
- Copyright ©ERS 2021
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