There are two types of disorders that cause problems with air moving in and out of the lungs:

• Obstructive: This is when air has trouble flowing out of the lungs due to airway resistance. This causes a decreased flow of air.

• Restrictive: This is when the lung tissue and/or chest muscles can’t expand enough. This creates problems with air flow, mostly due to lower lung volumes.

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PFT measures:

• Tidal volume (VT). This is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled during normal breathing.

• Minute volume (MV). This is the total amount of air exhaled per minute.

• Vital capacity (VC). This is the total volume of air that can be exhaled after inhaling as much as you can.

• Functional residual capacity (FRC). This is the amount of air left in lungs after exhaling normally.

• Residual volume. This is the amount of air left in the lungs after exhaling as much as you can.

• Total lung capacity. This is the total volume of the lungs when filled with as much air as possible.

• Forced vital capacity (FVC). This is the amount of air exhaled forcefully and quickly after inhaling as much as you can.

• Forced expiratory volume (FEV). This is the amount of air expired during the first, second, and third seconds of the FVC test.

• Forced expiratory flow (FEF). This is the average rate of flow during the middle half of the FVC test.

• Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR). This is the fastest rate that you can force air out of your lungs.

 

Normal values for PFTs vary from person to person. The amount of air inhaled and exhaled in your test results are compared to the average for someone of the same age, height, sex, and race. Results are also compared to any of your previous test results. If you have abnormal PFT measurements or if your results have changed, you may need other tests.

 

 

INDICATIONS

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There are many different reasons why pulmonary function tests (PFTs) may be done. They are sometimes done in healthy people as part of a routine physical. They are also routinely done in certain types of work environments to ensure employee health (such as graphite factories and coal mines). Or you may have PFTs if your healthcare provider needs help to diagnose you with a health problem such as:

• Allergies

• Respiratory infections

• Trouble breathing from injury to the chest or a recent surgery

• Chronic lung conditions, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis

• Asbestosis, a lung disease caused by inhaling asbestos fibers

• Restrictive airway problems from scoliosis, tumors, or inflammation or scarring of the lungs

• Sarcoidosis, a disease that causes lumps of inflammatory cells around organs, such as the liver, lungs, and spleen

• Scleroderma, a disease that causes thickening and hardening of connective tissue

 

PFTs may be used to check lung function before surgery or other procedures in patients who have lung or heart problems, who are smokers, or who have other health conditions. Another use of PFTs is to assess treatment for asthma, emphysema, and other chronic lung problems. Your healthcare provider may also have other reasons to advise PFTs.

 

 

POSSIBLE RISKS AND COMPLICATIONS

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Because pulmonary function testing is not an invasive procedure, it is safe and quick for most people. But the person must be able to follow clear, simple directions.

All procedures have some risks. The risks of this procedure may include:

• Dizziness during the tests

• Feeling short of breath

• Coughing

• Asthma attack brought on by deep inhalation

 

In some cases, a person shouldn’t have PFTs. Reasons for this can include:

• Recent eye surgery, because of increased pressure inside the eyes during the procedure

• Recent belly or chest surgery

• Chest pain, recent heart attack, or an unstable heart condition

• A bulging blood vessel (aneurysm) in the chest, belly, or brain

• Active tuberculosis (TB) or respiratory infection, such as a cold or the flu

 

Your risks may vary depending on your general health and other factors. Ask your healthcare provider which risks apply most to you. Talk with him or her about any concerns you have.

Certain things can make PFTs less accurate. These include:

• The degree of patient cooperation and effort

• Use of medicines that open the airways (bronchodilators)

• Use of pain medicines

• Pregnancy

• Stomach bloating that affects the ability to take deep breaths

• Extreme tiredness or other conditions that affect a person’s ability to do the tests (such as a head cold)

 

 

PREPARING FOR A PFT

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Your healthcare provider will explain the procedure to you. Ask him or her any questions you have. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully. Ask questions if anything is not clear.

Tell your healthcare provider if you take any medicines. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Make sure to:

• Stop taking certain medicines before the procedure, if instructed by your healthcare provider

• Stop smoking before the test, if instructed by your healthcare provider. Ask your provider how many hours before the test you should stop smoking.

• Not eat a heavy meal before the test, if instructed by your healthcare provider

• Follow any other instructions your healthcare provider gives you

Your height and weight will be recorded before the test. This is done so that your results can be accurately calculated.

 

 

PROCEDURE

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You may have your procedure as an outpatient. This means you go home the same day. Or it may be done as part of a longer stay in the hospital. The way the procedure is done may vary. It depends on your condition and your healthcare provider's methods.