C. Pulmonary haemorrhage – Explanation
Transfer factor
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Where alveolar haemorrhage occurs the TLCO tends to increase due to the enhanced uptake of
carbon monoxide by intra-alveolar haemoglobin
Transfer factor
The transfer factor describes the rate at which a gas will diffuse from alveoli into blood. Carbon
monoxide is used to test the rate of diffusion. Results may be given as the total gas transfer (TLCO)
or that corrected for lung volume (transfer coefficient, KCO)
| Causes of a raised TLCO | Causes of a lower TLCO |
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KCO also tends to increase with age. Some conditions may cause an increased KCO with a normal
or reduced TLCO
- pneumonectomy/lobectomy
- scoliosis/kyphosis
- neuromuscular weakness
- ankylosis of costovertebral joints e.g. ankylosing spondylitis
