Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide

Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) or Transfer factor for carbon monoxide (TLCO) is a medical term referring to the test that measures how much oxygen travels from the air sacs of the lungs to the blood.

Pronunciation

• Diffusing: /dɪˈfjuːzɪŋ/
• Capacity: /kəˈpasɪti/
• For: /fɔːr/
• Carbon: /ˈkɑːrbən/
• Monoxide: /mɒˈnɒksaɪd/

Etymology

The term is derived from the Latin diffundere, meaning "to spread out", and the Greek kapacitas, meaning "capacity". Carbon monoxide is derived from the Latin carbo, meaning "coal", and oxide, from the Greek oxys, meaning "sharp, acid".

Definition

The DLCO test measures the ability of the lungs to transfer gas from inhaled air to the red blood cells in pulmonary capillaries. It is used to diagnose certain types of lung disease such as pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema, and to determine the severity of these conditions.

Procedure

The patient breathes in a test gas mixture that contains a small amount of carbon monoxide, and then holds their breath for 10 seconds. The amount of carbon monoxide in the breath that is exhaled is then measured. The difference in the amount of carbon monoxide inhaled and exhaled allows the doctor to calculate how effectively gas is transferred from the lungs to the blood.

Related Terms

• Pulmonary function test (PFT)
• Spirometry
• Lung volumes
• Gas exchange
• Hypoxemia
• Hypercapnia

See Also

• Pulmonology
• Respiratory system
• Respiratory physiology

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide
• Wikipedia's article - Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide

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