Pulmonary Function test interpretation

Maher AlQuaimi, MSRC,AEA,RRT

http://www.thoracic.org/statements/pulmonary-function.php

Pulmonary function test Vs. spirometry

Spirometry Bronchoprovocation Exercise test Caliomtery Diffusion capacity Lung volumes

Slow vital capacity Or forced vital capacity

• ERV? • TLC?• IC?

Prediction of normal data is based on

• Height• Age• Gender• Race

Start interpretation of PFT :

• After properly perform an accurate, good effort, reproducible test

• After reviewing patient history • After reviewing therapist notes

Case 1

• Khalid is a 45 years old man. Married with two wives. He has a stressful life and he smokes one pack per day since he was 15.

Case 2

• Huda is a 34 years female. She is the the first wife she has a stressful life. She complains of SOB while climbing the stairs.

Case 3

• Sami is the family driver. He worked in asbestosis before changing his job into driver. He smokes 2 packs a day

• FEV1/FVC 60%• FEV 69%• TLC 60%

Take home messages • Most of PFTs are effort dependent • Great therapist is the one who obtain the best of the

patient ( Scream if needed ! ) • Great therapist can look at the results and make sure

it is accurate and reproducible • PFT is not a diagnostic tool by itself • It is very important for thoracic and abdominal

surgeries.