COMPARATIVE STUDY
JOURNAL ARTICLE
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Physiologic definitions of obliterative bronchiolitis in heart-lung and double lung transplantation: a comparison of the forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS: A comparison of the forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of the forced vital capacity (FEF25-75) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) was conducted for the detection of obstructive airway disease as an early manifestation of obliterative bronchiolitis. Pulmonary function tests performed on heart-lung and double lung transplant recipients between March 1981 and March 1983 were reviewed. Thirty patients were identified who showed progressive deterioration in pulmonary function after transplantation. Ratios determining proportionate decreases were calculated from measurements of absolute values for the FEF25-75 and FEV1 at the point when the FEF25-75 reached < 70% and < or = 30% of predicted, divided by baseline values obtained before the decline in function. Similar ratios were obtained for FEV1 and FEF25-75 at the point the FEV1 declined > or = 20% from its baseline value.

RESULTS: Comparison of the ratios for the FEF25-75 and FEV1 at FEF25-75 values < 70% and < or = 30% of predicted and a similar comparison when the FEV1 declined > or = 20% from baseline showed a greater proportional decrease in FEF25-75 than FEV1 (p < 0.01). With the use of the FEF25-75, declines in airway function were detected earlier. After transplantation a decline in FEF25-75 to < 70% of predicted occurred approximately 112 days before a 20% decline a FEV1.

CONCLUSION: The FEF25-75 is more sensitive than the FEV1 for the early detection of obliterative bronchiolitis. A presumptive diagnosis of obliterative bronchiolitis can be made with physiologic criteria, providing infection or acute rejection has been ruled out. When conducting epidemiologic studies or for vital statistics we propose that a decline in FEF25-75 to < 70% be used to define the onset of obliterative bronchiolitis.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app