Purpose of Pulmonary Function Testing
Pulmonary Function Testing has been a major step forward in assessing the functional status of the lungs as it relates to:
- How much air volume can be moved in and out of the lungs
- How fast the air in the lungs can be moved in and out
- How stiff are the lungs and chest wall - a question about compliance
- The diffusion characteristics of the membrane through which the gas moves (determined by special tests)
- How the lungs respond to chest physical therapy procedures
Pulmonary Function Tests are used for the following reasons:
- Screening for the presence of obstructive and restrictive diseases
- Evaluating the patient prior to surgery
- this is especially true of patients who: - are older than 60-65 years of age
- are known to have pulmonary disease
- are obese (as in pathologically obese)
- have a history of smoking, cough or wheezing
- will be under anesthesia for a lengthy period of time
- are undergoing an abdominal or a thoracic operation
- Evaluating the patient's condition for weaning from a ventilator. If the patient on a ventilator can demonstrate a vital capacity (VC) of 10 - 15 ml/Kg of body weight, it is generally thought that there is enough ventilatory reserve to permit (try) weaning and extubation.
- Documenting the progression of pulmonary disease - restrictive or obstructive
- Documenting the effectiveness of therapeutic intervention
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