The use of multiple-breath washout measurement in adult chronic lung disease

Ventilation heterogeneity is a core pathophysiological feature of chronic respiratory diseases, yet its measurement is not part of routine clinical practice. Multiple-breath washout (MBW) is a sensitive, non-invasive technique for assessing ventilation distribution. While its utility is well-established in conditions like cystic fibrosis, its role in common adult diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) remains poorly defined.In this study, we investigated the feasibility and clinical significance of MBW in adult patients with these three prevalent conditions. Our findings demonstrate that MBW is a viable technique, although we note its application may be challenging in patients with advanced COPD. Our results suggest that there is a potential role for MBW in the early detection and monitoring of pulmonary disease.