Significant Differences in Body Plethysmography Measurements Between Hospitals in Patients Referred for Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction

During the evaluation of potential bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) candidates in our hospital, we frequently observe patients with a lower residual volume (RV) value compared to the value measured in their referring hospital, although both measured by body plethysmography. We explored to what degree RV and other pulmonary function measurements match between referring hospitals and our hospital. We retrospectively analyzed a total of 300 patients with severe emphysema [38% male, median age 62 years (range 38–81), median forced expiratory volume in 1 s 29% (range 14–65) of predicted, and a median of 40 packyears (range 2–125)]. We measured a median RV of 4.47 l (range 1.70–7.57), which was a median 310 ml lower than in the referring hospitals (range − 3.04 to + 1.94), P < 0.001). In conclusion, this retrospective analysis demonstrated differences in RV measurements between different hospitals in patients with severe emphysema. Overestimation of RV can lead to unnecessary referrals for BLVR and potential treatment failures. To avoid disappointment and unnecessary hospital visits, it is important that body plethysmography measurements are accurately performed by applying preferably the unlinked method in these patients.