The volume of trapped gas: a new and sensitive test for the detection of exercise-induced bronchospasm in children.

The volume of trapped gas (VTG) was measured at the end of a nitrogen multiple breath wash out procedure in 16 asthmatic and 10 healthy children before and after exercise. When compared to conventional spirometric variables VTG was the most sensitive test for detection of exercise-induced asthma (EIA). The VTG was significantly higher before exercise in the asthmatic children and increased significantly after exercise, while it did not change in the healthy controls. The significance of changes caused by EIA increased if VTG/TLC % or VTG/VC % wer used. Salbutamol inhalation normalized the VTG in all the asthmatic children.