Diffusing capacity
Diffusing Capacity
Diffusing capacity or DLCO (pronounced: dee-el-co) is a medical term that refers to the lung's ability to transfer gases from the inhaled air to the red blood cells in pulmonary capillaries. The term is often used in the context of pulmonary function testing.
Etymology
The term "diffusing capacity" is derived from the English word "diffuse", which means to spread out or disperse. The abbreviation DLCO stands for "Diffusing capacity of the Lung for Carbon Monoxide".
Definition
Diffusing capacity is a measure of the ability of the lungs to transfer gases from the air we breathe into our bloodstream. It is often measured using carbon monoxide (CO), a gas that is very readily absorbed by the lungs. The test for this is called the DLCO test.
Procedure
The DLCO test involves the patient inhaling a test gas mixture that contains a very small amount of carbon monoxide, and then holding their breath for 10 seconds. The amount of carbon monoxide in the exhaled air is then measured. The difference between the inhaled and exhaled amounts is used to calculate the diffusing capacity.
Related Terms
- Pulmonary function test: A group of tests that measure how well the lungs take in and release air and how well they move gases such as oxygen from the atmosphere into the body's circulation.
- Spirometry: A common office test used to assess how well your lungs work by measuring how much air you inhale, how much you exhale and how quickly you exhale.
- Hypoxemia: A below-normal level of oxygen in your blood, specifically in the arteries, which can lead to hypoxia if not treated promptly.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Diffusing capacity
- Wikipedia's article - Diffusing capacity
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