Can DLNO/DLCO ratio offset prejudicial effects of functional heterogeneities in acinar regions?

Abstract Objectives (1) To establish the general equation that describes relationship of DMCO/Vc versus DLNO/DLCO under conditions with no functional heterogeneities. (2) To examine the effects of functional heterogeneities, including parallel and series (stratified) heterogeneities, on DLNO/DLCO. Results and discussions: (1) Given that “true” θNO in pulmonary capillaries is represented by surface absorption-related θNO, relationship between DMCO/Vc and DLNO/DLCO does not differ significantly from that obtained on premise of infinite θNO. DLNO/DLCO decided physiologically may mirror morphometric DMCO/Vc actually working for gas exchange but not “total” morphometric ratio of DMCO/Vc. (2) There are three parallel heterogeneities that affect diffusing capacity (D)-related parameters. Of them, only the heterogeneity of D/VA, where VA is alveolar volume, underestimates DLCO and DLNO. DLNO/DLCO does not alleviate negative impact of D/VA heterogeneity, indicating that DMCO/Vc estimated from DLNO/DLCO does not mirror “true” morphometric DMCO/Vc in diseased lungs with D/VA maldistribution. (3) Stratified heterogeneity underrates morphometric DMCO, DMNO, and DMNO/DMCO maximally by 1.4 %, 2.8 %, and 1.4 %, respectively, under conditions similar to single-breath D measurements, suggesting that effect of stratified heterogeneity on D measures is no longer needed to be considered in normal subjects but may be in patients having lung diseases with destructive lesions of acinar structures.