The effect of oxygen and carbon dioxide cross-sensitivity sensor error in the Eco Medics Exhalyzer D device on measures of conductive and acinar airway function

INTRODUCTION: The multiple breath nitrogen washout (MBNW) test provides important clinical information in obstructive airways diseases. Recently, a significant cross-sensitivity error in the O(2) and CO(2) sensors of a widely used commercial MBNW device (Exhalyzer D, Eco Medics AG, Duernten, Switzerland) was detected, which leads to overestimation of N(2) concentrations. Significant errors in functional residual capacity (FRC) and lung clearance index (LCI) have been reported in infants and children. This study investigated the impact in adults, and on additional important indices reflecting conductive (S(cond)) and acinar (S(acin)) ventilation heterogeneity, in health and disease. METHODS: Existing MBNW measurements of 27 healthy volunteers, 20 participants with asthma and 16 smokers were reanalysed using SPIROWARE V 3.3.1, which incorporates an error correction algorithm. Uncorrected and corrected indices were compared using paired t-tests and Bland–Altman plots. RESULTS: Correction of the sensor error significantly lowered FRC (mean difference 9%) and LCI (8–10%) across all three groups. S(cond) was higher following correction (11%, 14% and 36% in health, asthma and smokers, respectively) with significant proportional bias. S(acin) was significantly lower following correction in the asthma and smoker groups, but the effect was small (2–5%) and with no proportional bias. DISCUSSION: The O(2) and CO(2) cross-sensitivity sensor error significantly overestimated FRC and LCI in adults, consistent with data in infants and children. There was a high degree of underestimation of S(cond) but minimal impact on S(acin). The presence of significant proportional bias indicates that previous studies will require reanalysis to confirm previous findings and to allow comparability with future studies.