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What is a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)?
A Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) measures how well the lungs are working. Certain lung disorders can be diagnosed and treated with the help of this information. During the tests, lung volume, capacity, and flow rates are measured. It is an invasive procedure, which means, a doctor doesn’t cut you or insert any instruments.
When a patient has a suspected or previously diagnosed respiratory disease, pulmonary function tests are valuable investigations. Diagnoses, monitoring responses to treatments, and making decisions on further treatment and intervention can be aided by them. Understanding respiratory physiology is necessary to interpret pulmonary function tests. While symptoms do not provide a diagnosis per se, different patterns of abnormalities can be seen in various respiratory diseases which may help to establish a diagnosis.
What is the Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) used for?
- Assess patients before surgery
- Monitoring lung disease progression
- Follow up on the efficacy of the treatment
- If your symptoms indicate a lung condition
- To assess your lung function before surgery
- Check for possible toxic side effects of certain drugs (such as amiodarone, an antiarrhythmic)
- Monitoring chronic lung diseases, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Examine respiratory symptoms (e.g. wheezing, cyanosis, dyspnea) for evidence of respiratory disease.
Understanding the test results of the Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)
|
SPIROMETRY TEST |
NORMAL |
ABNORMAL |
|
FVC and FEV1 |
Equal to or greater than 80% |
Mild = 70-79% Moderate = 60-69% Severe – Less than 60% |
|
FEV1/FVC |
Equal to or greater than 70% |
Mild = 60-69% Moderate = 50-59% Severe – Less than 50% |
FVC – Forced Vital Capacity (Volume of air exhaled after maximum inhalation)
FEV1 – Forced expiratory volume in one second (Volume of air exhaled in one breath)
Why do I need a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)?
- History of asthma
- Infections of the respiratory system
- Inhaling asbestos fibers at workplace causing asbestosis, a lung disease
- An injury to the chest or a recent surgery that causes trouble breathing
- Lung conditions like bronchiectasis, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis
- Scleroderma makes the connective tissue thicken and harden
- Airway restriction due to scoliosis, tumors, or inflammation or scarring of the lungs
Frequently Asked Questions:
What happens during Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)?
Different types of PFT exist. According to your doctor, you may have to undergo one or more of these tests depending on the health condition they are trying to diagnose.
They are:
- Spirometry
- Pulse oximetry test
- Plethysmography test
- Exhaled nitric oxide test
- Diffusion capacity test
- Exhaled nitric oxide test
- Bronchial provocation test
- Cardiopulmonary exercise test
What is a normal PFT score?
Children ages 5 to 18:
|
Percentage of predicted value of FVCÂ |
Result |
|
80% or greater |
normal |
|
less than 80% |
abnormal |
Adults
|
FVC |
Result |
|
is greater than or equal to the lower limit of normal |
Normal |
|
is less than the lower limit of normal |
Abnormal |
What does 50% lung capacity mean?
To understand this, imagine a glass of water. When the glass is full to the brim, it is 100% full. When it is half full, it is 50% full. 33% means it is only one-third full, etc. An FEV1 of 50% means that your lungs are capable of handling half as much air as they should. Your lungs can handle even less if your FEV1 is 33% - only one-third as much. Your lungs can handle less air if your FEV1 percentage is lower.
What is the most common PFT test?
Spirometry is one of the most common types of lung function tests. The test measures how much and how quickly air can flow into and out of your lungs. Diagnosis of asthma and COPD can be made with the help of spirometry. As a result, it measures how fast you can exhale all the air after taking a deep breath and how much air you can exhale.
What happens if you fail a pulmonary function test?
An abnormal result usually indicates lung or chest disease. The lungs may contain too much air due to certain lung diseases (such as emphysema, asthma, chronic bronchitis, and infections).Â
What tests should be done for shortness of breath?
- Blood test
- Oxygen test
- Chest X-ray
- Lung Function test
- Electrocardiography (EKG)
Conclusion
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