The alveolar-capillary membrane diffusing capacity and the pulmonary capillary blood volume in heart transplant candidates

摘要

Objectives-To determine the mechanism of impairment of pulmonary transfer factor for car- bon monoxide (TL_co) in heart transplant candidates, as this is the most common lung function abnormality. Setting-regional cardiopulmonary transplant centre. Methods-TL_co and its components (the diffusing capacity of the alveolar-capillary membrane (D_m) and the pulmonary capillary blood volume (V_c) were measured using the Roughton and Forster method and the single breath technique in 38 patients with severe chronic heart failure Awaiting heart transplantation (mean age 51 years, range 19 to 61; mean left ventricular ejection Fraction 12.8/100) Results were compared with data from 26 normal subjects (mean age 47 years, Range 27 to 62).