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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity

Phenotyping Mouse Pulmonary Function In Vivo with the Lung Diffusing Capacity

Published on: January 6, 2015

Diffusing capacity predicts morbidity after lung resection in patients without obstructive lung disease.

Mark K Ferguson¹, Wickii T Vigneswaran

¹Department of Surgery, The University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, USA. mferguso@surgery.bsd.uchicago.edu

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery

|March 22, 2008

Summary

Measuring diffusing capacity (DLCO) is vital for predicting lung resection risks, even with normal spirometry. Routine DLCO testing improves operative risk assessment for patients undergoing major lung surgery.

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Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Thoracic Surgery
Cardiopulmonary Physiology

Background:

Diffusing capacity (DLCO) is an independent predictor of morbidity after lung resection.
DLCO is not routinely used preoperatively in patients with normal spirometry due to perceived lack of value.
This study evaluated the utility of DLCO measurement for operative risk assessment in lung resection patients with normal spirometry.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the value of Diffusing capacity (DLCO) in predicting operative risk for lung resection patients.
To determine if DLCO measurement is beneficial even in patients with normal spirometry.
To identify predictors of postoperative morbidity including mortality and pulmonary complications.

Main Methods:

Retrospective review of 1,008 lung resection patients (1980-2006).
Patients categorized by chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) status based on FEV1/FVC ratio.
Covariates for operative mortality, pulmonary morbidity, and overall morbidity were analyzed.

Main Results:

Postoperative predicted DLCO was the strongest predictor of pulmonary morbidity and operative mortality in both COPD and non-COPD groups.
Overall complications were associated with DLCO only in the COPD group.
Pulmonary morbidity and operative mortality were related to DLCO, age, and performance status.

Conclusions:

Diffusing capacity (DLCO) is a crucial predictor of postoperative morbidity after lung resection, irrespective of spirometry results.
Routine DLCO measurement is recommended for risk prediction in candidates for major lung resection.
DLCO assessment enhances preoperative evaluation for lung surgery patients.