DL changes over time were shown as a better predictor of mortality compared with FVC changes in our study. In our opinion it is necessary to implement the DL analysis into clinical trials and routine practice.

Patients with lung cancer experience elevated risk of venous thromboembolism. Cancer patients with thrombosis have a shorter life expectancy and the occurrence of VTE worsens the quality of life and may delay, interrupt, or completely halt the cancer therapy. In a large cohort of lung cancer patients we monitored the incidence of venous thromboembolism and we identified groups of patients with the highest risk of venous thromboembolism suitable for antithrombotic prophylaxis, which could favourably affect their morbidity and mortality.

Introduction Measurement of ventilatory efficiency, defined as minute ventilation per unit carbon dioxide production (V E /VCO 2 ), by cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been proposed as a screen for hyperventilation syndrome (HVS). However, increased V E /VCO 2 may be associated with other disorders which need to be distinguished from HVS. A more specific marker of HVS by CPET would be clinically useful. We hypothesized ventilatory control during exercise is abnormal in patients with HVS. Methods Patients who underwent CPET from years 2015 through 2017 were retrospectively identified and formed the study group. HVS was defined as dyspnea with respiratory alkalosis (pH >7.45) at peak exercise with absence of acute or chronic respiratory, heart or psychiatric disease. Healthy patients were selected as controls. For comparison the Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test were used. Data are summarized as mean ± SD or median (IQR); p<0.05 was considered significant. Results Twenty-nine patients with HVS were identified and 29 control subjects were selected. At rest, end-tidal carbon dioxide (P ET CO 2 ) was 27 mmHg (25–30) for HVS patients vs. 30 mmHg (28–32); in controls (p = 0.05). At peak exercise P ET CO 2 was also significantly lower (27 ± 4 mmHg vs. 35 ± 4 mmHg; p<0.01) and V E /VCO 2 higher ((38 (35–43) vs. 31 (27–34); p<0.01)) in patients with HVS. In contrast to controls, there were minimal changes of P ET CO 2 (0.50 ± 5.26 mmHg vs. 6.2 ± 4.6 mmHg; p<0.01) and V E /VCO 2 ((0.17 (-4.24–6.02) vs. -6.6 (-11.4-(-2.8)); p<0.01)) during exercise in patients with HVS. The absence of V E /VCO 2 and P ET CO 2 change during exercise was specific for HVS (83% and 93%, respectively). Conclusion Absence of V E /VCO 2 and P ET CO 2 change during exercise may identify patients with HVS.