DLCO reporting requirements
Variable# | Requirement |
DLCO (unadjusted) | Required |
DLCO (adjusted for PB) | Required |
DLCO (LLN and/or z-score) | Required |
DLCO (predicted) | Required |
DLCO (adjusted,predicted) | Optional (required if any adjustments made-specify adjustments) |
DLCO (% of predicted) | Required |
VA (BTPS) | Required |
VA (LLN and/or z-score) | Required |
VA (% of predicted) | Optional |
KCO | Required |
KCO (LLN and/or z-score) | Required |
KCO (predicted) | Required |
KCO (% of predicted) | Required |
PB | Required |
tBH | Required |
VI (BTPS) | Required |
Fowler (anatomic) dead-space | Required for RGA systems |
TLCsb | Required for RGA systems |
Reference values source | Required |
Test quality grade | Recommended (include % variability in DLCO acceptable manoeuvres) |
Operator comments | Required (number of manoeuvres, number of acceptable manoeuvres) |
Graphs | Required (full manoeuvre and exhaled gas concentration versus volume with sample collection indicated for RGA systems) |
Hb | Optional (required if used to adjust DLCO) |
COHb | Optional (required if used to adjust DLCO) |
Alternative calculations (e.g. three-equation DLCO, normalised slope of phase III) | Optional |
BTPS: body temperature, ambient pressure, saturated with water vapour; LLN: lower limit of normal; DLCO: diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide; VA: alveolar volume; KCO: transfer coefficient of the lung for carbon monoxide; PB: barometric pressure; tBH: breath-hold time; VI (BTPS): inspired volume under BTPS conditions; VA (BTPS): alveolar volume under BTPS conditions; TLCsb: single-breath total lung capacity; Hb: haemoglobin; COHb: carboxyhaemoglobin; RGA: rapidly responding gas analyser. #: for DLCO, VA, KCO, tBH, VI, VDanat and TLCsb the average values from the acceptable and repeatable manoeuvres are reported.