DLCO helps to know how effectively gases are exchanged between the blood and airways in the lungs

Procedure:-

Initially the patient is asked to take 3 normal inspiration and expiration keeping the spirette in the mouth

Next on the end of the third expiration- the patient has to completely exhale as much as possible

At the end of the Expiration, the Activate button on the screen is pressed, after which a gas is released to the lungs (10% helium, 0.3% carbon monoxide, 18 to 25% max. oxygen, rest nitrogen).

Simultaneously the patient should take a deep, rapid inspiration and should hold it for 10 seconds

Then has to exhale completely in the end. This completes the DLCO procedure.

Note: - The maneuver is highly dependent on patient cooperation and effort.

DLCO Parameters

 

DLCO - Diffusing Lung Capacity for Carbon Monoxide

DLCO/VA- Diffusing Lung Capacity for Carbon Monoxide/ Alveolar Volume

TLC - Total Lung Capacity-Is the maximum volume to which the lungs can be expanded with the greatest possible inspiratory effort; it is equal to the Vital capacity (VC) plus the Residual Volume (RV) and is approximately 5800 ml

FRC - Functional Residual Capacity is the volume of air present in the lungs, specifically the parenchyma tissues, at the end of passive expiration

VA – Alveolar Volume - Alveolar ventilation the amount of air that reaches the alveoli and is available for gas exchange with the blood per unit time

VI - Inspiratory reserve volume (IRV),The maximum volume of gas that can be inhaled beyond a normal resting inspiration

Is the most common of the Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs), measuring lung function, specifically the measurement of the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled.

Procedure:-

Deep Inhalation as much as possible.

Then the spirette is kept in the mouth and patient is asked to rapidly/forcefully exhale continuously for 6 seconds.

Last step is deep inhalation (inspiration).This ends the procedure.

All above steps are repeated 3 times and normally repeated at least three times to ensure reproducibility.

Note: - The maneuver is highly dependent on patient cooperation and effort.

SPIROMETRY PARAMETERS

FVC- Forced Vital Capacity is the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out after full inspiration, measured in liters. FVC is the most basic maneuver in Spirometry tests.

FEV1-Forced Expiratory Volume- is the maximal amount of air you can forcefully exhale in one second.

FEF 25- 75%- Forced Expiratory Flow at 25% point to the 75% point of Forced Vital Capacity, a technique that assesses exhalation of an individual to help characterize their lung disease. FEF 25-75 is one of many pulmonary function tests, FEV1 being the most common.

PEF- Peak expiratory flow (PEF), also called peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) is a person's maximum speed of expiration.

FET- Forced Expiratory Time- It measures the length of the expiration in seconds.
 

We are in association with the Asia’s largest chest research centre, Cipla’s Chest Research Foundation, Pune and our Lung Function Laboratory has been set up under their guidance and training.

DLCO (Diffused Lung Capacity for Carbon Monoxide) measures lung ventilation and diffusion. The patency of the airway tubes is measured by Spirometry and perfusion of the lungs is measured by DLCO. It determines how effectively gases are exchanged between the blood and the airways (small airways).

DLCO is decreased in any condition which affects the effective alveolar surface area like fibrosis, alveolitis, vasculitis, restrictive lung disease, etc.

Factors that can increase the DLCO include polycythemia, increased pulmonary blood volume, congestive heart failure, etc

LOCATION:
Centre of Excellence in Homeopathy for Respiratory Diseases
3rd Floor, Mahabodhi Mallige Hospital, 1st Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore 560011.

COST:

1. Rs. 1600/- for DLCO
2. Rs.400/- for Spirometry.

For further information, please contact us at 99020 10901 or bhmc@soukya.com
For appointments, please contact us at 99020 10903