As with DLCO like any other forms or disease processes, seeing what happens on the micro level in combination with factors we already measure FEV1 help to monitor the disease process and management strategies but also the need for therapeutic changes. This (DLCO) is again one of many factors that can be measured to help with the management of COPD. The question is access and coverage of such test, I am not sure how feasible this is or how willing insurance is going to pay for these types of test when they have the cornerstone of FEV1 all these years. It will take more research to show the importance of this test and others like it to make it routine in COPD management.

I usually seek the help of my Pulmonology colleagues in doing a detailed pulmonary assessment in my moderate to severe COPD patients as these patients are at higher risk of mortality even after 1 exacerbation

Among 650 patients with COPD, worsening DLCO impairment was linked to reduced lung function, higher systemic inflammation, increased respiratory failure risk, and more extensive emphysema. DLCO may therefore serve as a useful complement to FEV1 in evaluating COPD severity.