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What is pulmonary function testing (PFT)?
A breathing test or series of tests to determine:
- maximum volume of air the lungs can hold
- how fast the patient can move air into and out of their lungs
- how easy it is for gas to pass from the lungs to the blood and the surface area available for gas movement
Who performs the test?
A certified or registered pulmonary function technician.
Basic test terminology and ordering information
Basic Pulmonary Function Test
- Test names: PFT, Spirogram, Pulmonary Function Screen, or Flow-volume loop.
- Description of test: Forced inspiration, forced expiration, followed by another forced inspiration.
- Values obtained: FVC, FEV1.0, FEF(25-75%), FEV/FVC, PEF, PIF
- Measures: how fast patient can move air
Pulmonary Function Test with Bronchodilator
Test names: B/A PFT, B/A Spirogram, B/A Flow-volume loop
- Description of test: forced inspiration, forced expiration, followed by another forced expiration. Administer bronchodilator. Wait approximately 15 minutes and test as before.
- Values obtained: FVC, FEV1.0, EF (25-75%), FEV/FVC, PEF, PIF (Before and after bronchodilator administration).
- Measures: how fast patient can move air before and after therapy.
Lung Volumes Test
Test Names: Lung volumes, FRC (Functional Residual Capacity), TLC (Total Lung Capacity), Helium Dilution Study, RV (Residual Volume Determination)
- Description of test: Patient breathes a small volume of helium over a three to seven minute period, followed by a forced expiratory maneuver, followed by a slow inspiratory maneuver.
- Values obtained: SVC (slow vital capacity), FRC, RV, TLC, RV/TLC.
- Measures: volumes of the lung.
Diffusion Test
Test names: DLCO (carbon monoxide diffusion test), Lung Diffusion Test
- Description of test: Patient breathes a small volume of carbon monoxide gas (nonlethal amount), holds breath for 10 seconds and exhales.
- Values obtained: DLCO, DLVA
- Measures: Diffusion capacity of lungs and determines surface area.
Steps to ordering
Contact NEUMED at 330-721-4747 for more information. |
