Pulmonary Function Testing
Pulmonary Function Testing
PFT
• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are a group of tests
that measure how well your lungs works, how well
the lungs take in and exhale air, and how efficiently
they transfer oxygen into the blood
• PFT or LFT are useful in assessing the functional
status of the respiratory system both in
physiological and pathological condition
• It is base on the measurement of volumes of air
breathed in and out in normal breathing and forced
breathing
• It is carried out by using a spirometer
Lung volume and capacities
• Lung vol: are the static vol: of air breathed by
an individual, ie vol: of air present in lung
under specific position of the torax
• 4 lung volumes
• Depends on age, weight, gender and body
position
• 2 or more vol: when combined are
capacity
Lung volumes
• TV-the vol: of gas exchanged during a relaxed insp:
followed by an exp: 500ml
• IRV-extra vol: of gas that can be inspired above
tidal insp: 3000ml
• ERV-extra vol: of gas that can be expired after a
normal tidal exp: 1000ml
• RV-vol: of gas remain in lungs after a forceful exp:
1500ml
Lung capacity
• IC-max: amount of gas inspired in to the lungs after a
normal tidal exp: [IC=TV+IRV] 3500ml
• FRC-amount of gas remain in the lungs after normal
exp:[ FRC=ERV+RV] 2500ml
• VC-max: amount of gas expired from the lungs after a
max: insp: [VC=IRV+TV+ ERV] 4500ml
• TLC-max: amount of gas inspired to expand the lungs to
its max:extend [TLC=TV+IRV +ERV +RV] 6000ml
Graph
Mechanics of Breathing
• Inspiration
Active process
• Expiration
Quiet breathing: passive Can
become active
Pulmonary Function Tests Evaluates 1 or more major
aspects of the respiratory system
• Lung volumes
• Airway function
• Gas exchange
Indications/purpose
• Detect disease, It serve as a diagnostic tool\
investigation role
• Evaluate severity, extent and monitor the course of
disease
• Evaluate treatment
• Measure effects and result of treatment exposures
PFTs can help diagnose
• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Respiratory infections
• Lung fibrosis
• Bronchiectasis
• Allergy
• Emphysema
• Cystic fibrosis