LAUSR

Our lung function lab has recently been equipped with 5 new setups (SentrySuite 2.19, CareFusion). Aim: to compare the devices in their performance to assess spirometry, lung volumes (body plethysmography, helium dilution) and diffusion capacity (DL, CO). Methods: Healthy subjects (5 M: 14 F, age: 39 ± 13 yrs, height: 174 ± 9 cm), recruited from hospital staff, performed multiple tests. We obtained tracings according to ATS-ERS 2005 criteria in ≥ 15 subjects per test on all devices. The order of the devices for a specific test was randomized. Tests were performed on all devices within the hour, except for DL, CO which was assessed in 3 and 2 pair of devices at about the same hour on 2 consecutive days. Results: No systematic differences were observed for spirometry and lung volumes by helium wash-in between devices. However, lung volumes by body plethysmography were significantly larger when obtained with devices #4 and #5 compared to devices #1, #2 and #3 (p Conclusion: We observed systematic differences in lung volumes by body plethysmography and DL, CO between devices in newly installed equipment from the same manufacturer. These differences may become relevant in clinical research in which case the patient should be longitudinally studied with the same device.