Lung compartment analysis assessed from N2 multiple-breath washout in children with cystic fibrosis

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Linnea Skov
  • Kent Green
  • Sanja Stanojevic
  • Renee Jensen
  • Frederik Buchvald
  • Felix Ratjen
  • Nielsen, Kim G.

Background: Compartment analysis (CA) based on nitrogen multiple-breath washout (N2MBW) has been shown to allow the assessment of specific volume and ventilation of faster- and slower-ventilating lung compartments of the lung in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to extend previous findings into the pediatric age range. Methods: Cross-sectional multicenter observational study in children with CF and healthy controls (HC) was done with the assessment of N2MBW and spirometry. A two-lung compartment model-based analysis (CA) was used to estimate size and function of faster- and slower-ventilating lung compartments from N2MBW. Results: A total of 125 children with CF and 177 HC, median age 10.8 (range, 2.8-18.9) years, were included in the analysis. CA could be calculated in 66 (53%) children with CF compared with 48 (27%) HC (P <.0001). The proportion of the slower-ventilating lung compartment was significantly smaller in children with CF (53.5%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 51.9%-55.7%) compared with HC (62.2%; 95% CI: 59.0%-65.0%) The regional specific ventilation of the slower compartment (rVT,slow/rFRC,slow, %) was significantly lower in children with CF (4.9%; 95% CI: 4.5-5.9) compared with HC (9.7%, 95% CI: 9.2-10.9), and showed inverse correlation to lung clearance index (r2 = −.65; P <.0001), Sacin × VT (r2 = −.36; P =.003) and Scond × VT (r2 = −.51; P <.0001). There was no significant difference in pulmonary parameters between children with CF with and without feasible CA. Conclusion: CA is less feasible in children than in adults and correlated to other MBW parameters. The clinical value of CA is still unclear and is yet to be established.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPediatric Pulmonology
Volume55
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)1671-1680
Number of pages10
ISSN8755-6863
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020

    Research areas

  • children, cystic fibrosis, multiple-breath washout, specific ventilation, ventilation inhomogeneity

ID: 260247176