Key result
Using the lower limit of normal criterion for pulmonary function tests identified additional predictors of diffusion impairment and airway obstruction compared with conventional cutoff values.
Why the study?
Does using the lower limit of normal criterion instead of conventional cutoff values identify different predictors of pulmonary function impairment in subjects with chronic heart failure?
Cross-Sectional (n=164)
Does using the lower limit of normal criterion instead of conventional cutoff values identify different predictors of pulmonary function impairment in subjects with chronic heart failure?
Using the lower limit of normal criterion identifies more predictors of pulmonary function impairment in chronic heart failure patients compared to conventional cutoffs, though lowering conventional cutoffs yields similar results.
BACKGROUND: Using the newer lower limit of normal criterion instead of the conventional cutoff values to define pulmonary function abnormalities may result in different predictors of pulmonary function impairment in patients with heart failure. Therefore, we assessed predictors of pulmonary function impairment in subjects with chronic heart failure according to the lower limit of normal in comparison with conventional cutoff values. METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 164 chronic heart failure subjects (age 68 ± 10 y, 78% men, 88% New York Heart Association class I-II) with left ventricular ejection fraction <40% underwent pulmonary function tests. Predictors of pulmonary function impairment were assessed using the lower limit of normal and conventional cutoff values (ie, 80% predicted value and the fixed ratio of FEV1/FVC <0.7). RESULTS: The lower limit of normal criterion identified an extra independent predictor of diffusion impairment compared with the 80% predicted value; in addition to body mass index, pack-years, and alveolar volume, female sex also turned out to be an independent predictor. A smoking history of ≥10 pack-years was a significant predictor of diffusion impairment and airway obstruction using the lower limit of normal criterion but not using the conventional cutoff values. However, lowering the cutoff points of conventional criteria to match the more stringent lower limit of normal and thus avoid overdiagnosis of diffusion impairment and airway obstruction in the elderly produced similar results as the lower limit of normal. CONCLUSIONS: The lower limit of normal identifies more predictors of diffusion impairment and airway obstruction compared with conventional cutoff values in subjects with chronic heart failure with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. However, lowering the conventional cutoff points yielded similar results as the lower limit of normal. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01429376.).
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Minasian et al. (2015) conducted a cross-sectional in chronic heart failure (n=164). Lower limit of normal criterion vs. Conventional cutoff values (80% predicted value and FEV1/FVC <0.7) was evaluated on Predictors of pulmonary function impairment. Using the lower limit of normal criterion for pulmonary function tests identified additional predictors of diffusion impairment and airway obstruction compared with conventional cutoff values.
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