<b>The use of multiple-breath washout measurement in adult chronic lung disease</b>

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.<br>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.