Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT) is a complete evaluation of the respiratory system including patient history, physical examinations, chest x-ray examinations, arterial blood gas analysis, and tests of pulmonary function. The primary purpose of pulmonary function testing is to identify the severity of pulmonary impairment. [1]Pulmonary function testing has diagnostic and therapeutic roles and helps clinicians answer some general questions about patients with lung disease.
Lung Volumes and Capacities
There are four lung volumes and four lung capacities. A lung capacity consists of two or more lung volumes. The lung volumes are tidal volume (VT), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), expiratory reserve volume (ERV), and residual volume (RV). The four lung capacities are total lung capacity (TLC), inspiratory capacity (IC), functional residual capacity (FRC) and the vital capacity (VC).
Spirometry
Spirometry includes the tests of pulmonary mechanics, the measurements of FVC, FEV<sub1, FEF values, forced inspiratory flow rates (FIFs), and the MVV. Measuring pulmonary mechanics is assessing the ability of the lungs to move large volumes of air quickly through the airways to identify airway obstruction.
Complications
Spirometry is a safe procedure however there is cause for concern regarding untoward reactions. The value of the test data should be weighed against potential hazards. Some complications have been reported such as; pneumothorax, increased intracranial pressure, syncope, chest pain, paroxysmal coughing, nosocomial infections, oxygen desaturation, and bronchospasm.
References
- ^ Pulmonary terms and symbols: a report of the ACCP-ATS Joint Committee on Pulmonary Nomenclature, Chest 67:583, 1975