Both DLCO and KCO are vital indices in assessment of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide by the single-breath method

IF 2.1 Q2 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Respiratory investigation Pub Date : 2026-03-01 Epub Date: 2026-02-10 DOI:10.1016/j.resinv.2026.101382

Masafumi Yamamoto , Masaharu Nishimura , Kaoruko Shimizu , Naoki Yamashita , Hideki Goto , Hironi Makita , Ichiro Kuwahira , Takanori Teshima , Satoshi Konno

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Abstract

The measurement of diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DL_CO) is an invaluable pulmonary function test for assessing gas exchange in the lungs. Typically, the test is conducted via the single-breath method, wherein after maximum inhalation of carbon monoxide and helium simultaneously, the breath is held for 10 s. The test provides the single value of DL_CO, and sometimes, the DL_CO corrected by alveolar volume (V_A) at the measurement. However, DL_CO is the product of two independent components in reality—the transfer coefficient for carbon monoxide (K_CO) and V_A. Conventionally, K_CO has often been expressed as DL_CO/V_A. In this report, we will demonstrate the change in relationship of DL_CO with K_CO uniquely and characteristically due to emphysema, fibrosis, and their combined disease. Therefore, the assessment of both indices is highly desirable in the precise interpretation of the test. The term “K_CO” is preferable to DL_CO/V_A to avoid misleading.

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DLCO和KCO是单呼吸法评价一氧化碳扩散能力的重要指标。

肺一氧化碳弥散能力（DLCO）的测量是一个宝贵的肺功能测试评估气体交换在肺部。通常，测试是通过单呼吸法进行的，其中在同时最大限度地吸入一氧化碳和氦气后，呼吸保持10秒。该试验提供DLCO的单一值，有时在测量时通过肺泡容积（VA）校正DLCO。然而，DLCO实际上是两个独立分量的乘积——一氧化碳的传递系数（KCO）和VA。传统上，KCO常被表示为DLCO/VA。在本报告中，我们将展示由于肺气肿、纤维化及其合并疾病，DLCO与KCO之间关系的变化。因此，在测试的精确解释中，这两个指标的评估是非常可取的。术语“KCO”比DLCO/VA更可取，以避免误导。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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