The effect of red cell transfusion on nitric oxide diffusing capacity.
BACKGROUND
The diffusion capacity of the lung for nitric oxide (DLNO) is supposed to reflect the properties of the alveolocapillary membrane better than the diffusion capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO), due to a much stronger binding of NO to haemoglobin (Hb).


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Hb concentration on the DLNO.


METHODS
The DLNO and DLCO (single-breath method) were measured in 10 anaemic patients before and shortly after red cell transfusion.


RESULTS
The mean increase in Hb concentration was 2.6 g/dl. Whereas DLCO increased as predicted by the reference equations, the DLNO did not change: mean DLCO rose from 13.6 to 16.5 ml/min/mm Hg (increase of 122%), mean DLCO corrected for Hb rose from 18.8 to 19.3 ml/min/mm Hg (103%) and mean DLNO rose from 75.6 to 77.8 ml/min/mm Hg (103%).


CONCLUSIONS
The DLNO is not influenced by Hb concentration.
van der Lee
I
I
Department of Pulmonary Diseases, Heart Lung Centre Utrecht, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. vdlee@tiscali.nl
Zanen
P
P
Biesma
D H
DH
van den Bosch
J M M
JM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D001944:Breath Tests; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity / Q000502:physiology*
D006454:Hemoglobins; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide