Effects of Altitude on Single-Breath Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide — DLCO  

COPD Clinical Trial

Official title: Effects of Altitude on Single-Breath Diffusing Capacity for Carbon Monoxide in Normal Subjects and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Status Completed

Clinical Trial Summary

The purpose of this study is to further understand the effects of altitude on the physiology of gas exchange in the pulmonary microcirculation in normal subjects and in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) measured as the single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCOsb). The study will determine a mathematical formula to allow for altitude corrections in both study populations to be used clinically in pulmonary labs.

Clinical Trial Description

The DLCOsb is one of the most common and widely tests clinically used across the world in pulmonary function laboratories to assess gas exchange from the lung to hemoglobin in the pulmonary circulation. This test is used in the differential diagnosis of respiratory related symptoms, to grade the degree of severity in lung disease, and to objectively monitor the progression of disease or the response to therapies. Therefore, it is important to have standard methods of performing and interpreting this test.This is a prospective study, collecting data from subjects at different simulated altitudes. The study hypothesis is that increasing altitude will increase the DLCOsb in a predictable manner that will allow for mathematical corrections to be applied for uniform interpretation in pulmonary labs at differing altitudes. ;

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• COPD

• NCT number: NCT03235297
• Study type: Observational
• Source: Intermountain Health Care, Inc.
• Status: Completed
• Start date: August 10, 2017
• Completion date: July 1, 2019