Koucky, V; Skalicka, V; Pohunek, P. European Respiratory Journal. 2018 Aug 2;52(2). pii: 1800015. doi: 10.1183/13993003.00015-2018. Print 2018 Aug. IF: 12.242
MUDr. Václav Koucký, Department of Paediatrics
Multiple breath washout test (MBW) with lung clearance index (LCI) as a main outcome parameter has proven to be a valuable research tool in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) [1, 2]. Moreover, there is growing evidence of its relevance in routine clinical practice [3]. Nevertheless, some technical limitations remain that hamper its widespread use. While most of the MBW data in infants have been acquired via sulfur hexafluoride washout (SF6–MBW), the nitrogen variant (N2–MBW) is recommended by the European Cystic Fibrosis Society Clinical Trial Network (ECFS–CTN) for older children. However, this methodological discrepancy may limit long-term follow-up of cystic fibrosis patients because N2– and SF6–MBW cannot be used interchangeably. In infants, the N2–MBW has not been fully investigated to date.
