2. Pulmonary function tests
(PFTs)
• Pulmonary function testing is a valuable
tool for evaluating the respiratory system
• comparing the measured values for
pulmonary function tests obtained on a
patient at any particular point with normal
values derived from population studies.
• The percentage of predicted normal is
used to grade the severity of the
abnormality.
4. PFTs
•Four lung components include :
The airways (large and small),
Lung parenchyma (alveoli,
interstitium),
Pulmonary vasculature, and
The bellows-pump mechanism
5. PFTs• PFTs can include:
simple screening spirometry, Flow Volume Loop
Formal lung volume measurement,
Bronchoprovocation testing
Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide, and
Arterial blood gases. Measurement of maximal
respiratory pressures
• These studies may collectively be referred to as a
complete pulmonary function survey.
6. Spirometry
•Measurement of the pattern of air
movement into and out of the lungs
during controlled ventilatory
maneuvers.
•Often done as a maximal expiratory
maneuver
7. Importance
• Patients and physicians have inaccurate
perceptions of severity of airflow
obstruction and/or severity of lung disease
by physical exam
• Provides objective evidence in identifying
patterns of disease
8. Spirometry
Simple, office-based
Measures flow, volumes
Volume vs. Time
Can determine:
- Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
- Forced vital capacity (FVC)
- FEV1/FVC
- Forced expiratory flow 25%-75% (FEF25-75)
9. Spirometry
The most readily available most useful
pulmonary function test
It takes ten to 15 minutes
carries no risk
10. Spirometry
• Spirometry is the most commonly used lung function
screening study.
• should be the clinician's first option
• other studies being reserved for specific indications
• easily performed
• in the ambulatory setting, physician's office, emergency
department, or inpatient setting.
11. Patient care/preparations
• Two choices are available with respect to bronchodilator and
medication use prior to testing. Patients may withhold oral
and inhaled bronchodilators to establish baseline lung
function and evaluate maximum bronchodilator response, or
they may continue taking medication as prescribed. If
medications are withheld, a risk of exacerbation of bronchial
spasm exists.
12. Spirometry
• The slow vital capacity (SVC) can also be measured with
spirometers
collect data for at least 30 seconds
when airways obstruction is present, the forced vital capacity
(FVC) is reduced and
slow vital capacity (SVC) may be normal
13. Spirometry
• When the slow or forced vital capacity is within the normal
range: No significant restrictive
disorder .
No need to measure static lung volumes (residual volume and
total lung capacity).
14. Indications — Diagnosis
Evaluation of signs and symptoms
- SOB, exertional dyspnea, chronic cough
Screening at-risk populations
Monitoring pulmonary drug toxicity
Abnormal study
- CXR, EKG, ABG, hemoglobin
Preoperative assessment
16. Indications — Diagnosis
Evaluation of signs and symptoms
- SOB, exertional dyspnea, chronic cough
Screening at-risk populations
Evaluation of occupational symptoms
Monitoring pulmonary drug toxicity
Abnormal study
- CXR, EKG, ABG, hemoglobin
Preoperative assessment
17. Indications — Prognostic
■ Assess severity
■ Follow response to therapy
■ Determine further treatment goals
■ Referral for surgery
■ Disability
18. Contraindications for
spirometry
• Relative contraindications for spirometry include hemoptysis
of unknown origin, pneumothorax, unstable angina pectoris,
recent myocardial infarction, thoracic aneurysms, abdominal
aneurysms, cerebral aneurysms, recent eye surgery (increased
intraocular pressure during forced expiration), recent
abdominal or thoracic surgical procedures, and patients with a
history of syncope associated with forced exhalation
19. Spirometry
• Spirometry requires a voluntary maneuver in which a seated
patient inhales maximally from tidal respiration to total lung
capacity and then rapidly exhales to the fullest extent until no
further volume is exhaled at residual volume
20. Spirometry
• The maneuver may be performed in a forceful manner to
generate a forced vital capacity (FVC) or in a more relaxed
manner to generate a slow vital capacity (SVC).
21. • In normal persons, the inspiratory vital capacity, the
expiratory SVC, and expiratory FVC are essentially equal.
However, in patients with obstructive airways disease, the
expiratory SVC is generally higher than the FVC.
24. acceptable spirometry
(ATS)
• 1) minimal hesitation at the start of the forced expiration
(extrapolated volume (EV) <5% of the FVC or 0.15 L,
whichever is larger
• Time to PEF is <120 ms (optional until further information is
available)
(2) no cough in the first second of forced exhalation,
• 3) meets 1 of 3 criteria that define a valid end-of-test
25. Valid end-of-test
• (a) smooth curvilinear rise of the volume-time tracing to a
plateau of at least 1-second duration;
(b) if a test fails to exhibit an expiratory
plateau, a forced expiratory time (FET) of 15 seconds; or
(c) when the patient
cannot or should not continue forced exhalation for valid
medical reasons.
26. • If both of these criteria are not met, continue testing until:
Both of the criteria are met with analysis of additional
acceptable spirograms or
• A total of eight tests have been performed or
• Save a minimum of three best maneuvers
27. Acceptability Criteria
• Good start of test
• No coughing
• No variable flow
• No early termination
• Reproducibility
28. The volume-time tracing
• The volume-time tracing is most useful in assessing whether
the end-of-test criteria have been met
32. Repeatability Criteria
• After three acceptable spirograms have been obtained, apply
the following tests. Are the two largest FVCs within
0.2 L of each other?
• Are the two largest FEV1s within 0.2 L of each other?
• If both of these criteria are met, the test session may be
concluded
37. Mechanical Properties
• Compliance
• Describes the stiffness of the lungs
• Change in volume over the change in pressure
• Elastic recoil
• The tendency of the lung to return to it’s resting state
• A lung that is fully stretched has more elastic recoil and thus
larger maximal flows
39. Factors That Affect Lung Volumes
• Age
• Sex
• Height
• Weight
• Race
• Disease
40. Technique
• Have patient seated comfortably
• Closed-circuit technique
• Place nose clip on
• Have patient breathe on mouthpiece
• Have patient take a deep breath as fast as possible
• Blow out as hard as they can until you tell them to stop
41. Terminology
• Forced vital capacity (FVC):
• Total volume of air that can be
exhaled forcefully from TLC
• The majority of FVC can be
exhaled in <3 seconds in
normal people, but often is
much more prolonged in
obstructive diseases
• Measured in liters (L)
42. FVC
• Interpretation of % predicted:
• 80-120% Normal
• 70-79% Mild reduction
• 50%-69%Moderate reduction
• <50% Severe reduction
FV
43. Terminology
• Forced expiratory volume
in 1 second: (FEV1)
• Volume of air forcefully
expired from full inflation
(TLC) in the first second
• Measured in liters (L)
• Normal people can exhale
more than 75-80% of their
FVC in the first second; thus
the FEV1/FVC can be utilized
to characterize lung disease
44. FEV1
• Interpretation of % predicted:
• >75% Normal
• 60%-75%Mild obstruction
• 50-59% Moderate obstruction
• <49% Severe obstruction
FE F
45. Terminology
• Forced expiratory flow 25-
75% (FEF25-75)
• Mean forced expiratory flow
during middle half of FVC
• Measured in L/sec
• May reflect effort independent
expiration and the status of the
small airways
• Highly variable
• Depends heavily on FVC
46. FEF25-75
• Interpretation of % predicted:
• >60% Normal
• 40-60% Mild obstruction
• 20-40% Moderate obstruction
• <10% Severe obstruction
47. Flow-Volume Loop
• Illustrates maximum
expiratory and
inspiratory flow-volume
curves
• Useful to help
characterize disease
states (e.g. obstructive
vs. restrictive)
Ruppel GL. Manual of Pulmonary Function Testing, 8th
ed.,
Mosby 2003
51. Restrictive Lung Disease
• Characterized by diminished lung
volume due to:
• change in alteration in lung
parenchyma (interstitial lung
disease)
• disease of pleura, chest wall (e.g.
scoliosis), or neuromuscular
apparatus (e.g. muscular dystrophy)
• Decreased TLC, FVC
• Normal or increased: FEV1/FVC ratio
60. Bronchodilator Response
Degree to which FEV1 improves with inhaled
bronchodilator
Documents reversible airflow obstruction
Significant response if:
- FEV1 increases by 12% and >200ml
Request if obstructive pattern on spirometry
68. Diffusing Capacity
Diffusing capacity of lungs for CO
Measures ability of lungs to transport inhaled gas
from alveoli to pulmonary capillaries
Depends on:
- alveolar—capillary membrane
- hemoglobin concentration
- cardiac output
70. DLCO — Indications
Differentiate asthma from emphysema
Evaluation and severity of restrictive lung disease
Early stages of pulmonary hypertension
Expensive!
71. Bronchoprovocation
Useful for diagnosis of asthma in the setting of normal
pulmonary function tests
Common agents:
- Methacholine, Histamine, others
Diagnostic if: ≥20% decrease in FEV1
73. PFT Interpretation Strategy
What is the clinical question?
What is “normal”?
Did the test meet American Thoracic Society (ATS) criteria?
Don’t forget (or ignore) the flow volume loop!
Significant CXR findings include hyperinflation, increased interstitial markings, enlarged pulmonary arteries. Significant ECG findings include evidence of pulmonary HTN or COPD
(What might ECG show in a COPD patient? MAT, WAP, others)
Significant findings on ABG are hypoxemia or hypercapnia; elevated Hb may also be evident on CBC.
Preop assessment is rarely to tell surgeon not to operate, but to prepare for pulmonary complications such as pneumonia, prolonged mechanical ventilation, etc. Also for screening: this includes all current and former smokers &gt;45yoa, known COPD or asthma pts, also those scheduled for thoracic or upper abdominal surgery. If mod-severe obstruction identified and surgery can be delayed, can start prophylactic program of pulmonary hygiene, stop smoking, give inhaled bronchodilators or steroids, etc.
Image source: http://www.spirxpert.com/index.html
FEV1 is decreased out of proportion to FVC, which causes the ratio to decrease as well.
This is not a complete list, just some of the most common diseases that should be on your differential for obstructive lung disease.
Image source: http://www.spirxpert.com/index.html
FEV1 decreases in proportion to decrease in FVC, so ratio remains normal or even slightly increased
Restrictive lung disease is made up of intrinsic lung disease (causes inflammation and scarring (interstitial lung diseases) or fill the airspaces w/ debris, inflammation (exudate); extrinsic causes are chest wall or pleural diseases that mechanically compress the lung and prevent expansion. Neuromuscular causes decreases ability of respiratory muscles to inflate and deflate the lungs.
Lack of observed response to bronchodilator does not preclude use, b/c patients may have symptomatic benefit.
Can give 6-8wk trial of bronchodilator and/or inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and reassess clinically, can also obtain FEV1 at that time.
HOLD MDI THE MORNING PRIOR TO TESTING.
Have patient breath out at max effort, then breath in quickly at max effort, creates a loop w/ differing patterns.
Upper airway = pharynx, larynx, trachea.
Image source: http://www.nationalasthma.org.au/html/management/spiro_book/index.asp
Vocal cord dysfunction: variable extrathoracic obstruction.
Tracheal stenosis: fixed obstruction (hx frequent intubations).
Rapid rise to peak flow rate, followed by fall in flow as pt exhales toward residual volume. Inspiratory curve is symmetrical.
Example of someone grabbing trachea—causes problems w/ inspiration and expiration = fixed obstruction
Vocal cord dysfunction: variable extrathoracic obstruction.
Endobronchial carcinoma: variable intrathoracic obstruction. (Rare to diagnose this on flow volume loop).
FVC is decreased in both obstructive and restrictive disease, so usually need to obtain lung volumes to see if restrictive component present (increased TLC).
Measure of gas exchange at alveolar-capillary membrane.
Changes in DLCO are one of the earliest signs of interstitial lung disease (ILD).
Pulmonary vascular disease = pulmonary emboli, pulmonary HTN.
Low DLCO is also a major predictor of desaturation during exercise.
So you have restrictive disease by spirometry and lung volumes. You get a DLCO and see it is normal. Thinking back to your differential diagnosis of restrictive lung disease (what are the four things on your differential?), what can you probably rule out? Answer = Interstitial lung disease.
This is where you would order max respiratory pressures, to evaluate for NM disease. Max inspiratory pressures are recorded as patientt is breathing through a blocked tube, also done for expiration. Should be decreased in NM disease.
Can always send patient home and tell them to come back when having symptoms, but this delays diagnosis. Another alternative is measure peak flow variability at home.
If suspected asthma but has not responded to therapy, think of obtaining flow volume loop to see if there is vocal cord dysfunction = variable extrathoracic obstruction.
Now we’re going to put it all together…
Don’t need a DLCO, but if were decreased would make you think emphysema, if normal then chronic bronchitis.
IF restrictive pattern, you’re going to want to get DLCO b/c it tells you whether the restriction is due to parenchymal disease (which will change your management), or NM, pleural or CW disease
Remember that DLCO should be normal in chronic bronchitis because it affects the more proximal airways which is not where your gas exchange takes place.