A pilot comparison of helium dilution and plethysmographic lung volumes to assess the impact of a long-acting bronchodilator on lung hyperinflation in COPD

Mario Cazzola , Paola Rogliani , Giacomo Curradi , Andrea Segreti , Chiara Ciaprini , Gabriella Pezzuto , Cesare Saltini

Currently, two methods for measuring TLC, RV, and FRC are used in clinical pulmonary function laboratories: body plethysmography and helium dilution. However, these methods are not interchangeable. In moderate-to-severe airflow obstruction, dilution method tends to underestimate and body plethysmography tends to overestimate RV.

Mots clés: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; lung hyperinflation; methods for measuring TLC; RV and FRC; body plethysmography; helium dilution; tiotropium; COPD; FEV; FRC; FVC; IC; RV; TLC

Mario Cazzola, Paola Rogliani, Giacomo Curradi, Andrea Segreti, Chiara Ciaprini, et al.. A pilot comparison of helium dilution and plethysmographic lung volumes to assess the impact of a long-acting bronchodilator on lung hyperinflation in COPD. Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 2009, 22 (6), pp.522. ⟨10.1016/j.pupt.2009.05.005⟩. ⟨hal-00589457⟩