Comparison of Multiple Diagnostic Tests to Measure Dynamic Hyperinflation in Patients with Severe Emphysema Treated with Endobronchial Coils

Purpose For this study, we aimed to compare dynamic hyperinflation measured by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET), a six-minute walking test (6-MWT), and a manually paced tachypnea test (MPT) in patients with severe emphysema who were treated with endobronchial coils. Additionally, we investigated whether dynamic hyperinflation changed after treatment with endobronchial coils. Methods Dynamic hyperinflation was measured with CPET, 6-MWT, and an MPT in 29 patients before and after coil treatment. Results There was no significant change in dynamic hyperinflation after treatment with coils. Comparison of CPET and MPT showed a strong association (rho 0.660, p < 0.001) and a moderate agreement (BA-plot, 202 ml difference in favor of MPT). There was only a moderate association of the 6-MWT with CPET (rho 0.361, p 0.024). Conclusion MPT can be a suitable alternative to CPET to measure dynamic hyperinflation in severe emphysema but may overestimate dynamic hyperinflation possibly due to a higher breathing frequency.