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Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)

By

Rebecca Dezube

, MD, MHS, Johns Hopkins University

Reviewed/Revised Nov 2023
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Pulmonary function tests measure the lungs' capacity to hold air, to move air in and out, and to absorb oxygen.

Lung flow rate measurements

The assessment of a lung disorder often involves testing

  • How much air the lungs can hold (lung volume)

  • How much and how quickly air can be exhaled (airflow)

Airflow measurements are made with a spirometer, which consists of a mouthpiece and tubing connected to a recording device. The person’s lips should be held tightly around the mouthpiece, and nose clips should be worn to ensure that all the air inhaled or exhaled goes through the mouth. A person inhales deeply, then exhales forcefully as quickly as possible through the tubing while measurements are taken. The volume of air inhaled and exhaled and the length of time each breath takes are recorded and analyzed. This measurement is repeated several times to be sure the results are consistent. Often, the tests are repeated after a person takes a medication that opens the airways of the lungs (bronchodilator).

Using a Spirometer

A spirometer consists of a mouthpiece, tubing, and a recording device. To use a spirometer, a person inhales deeply, then exhales vigorously and as quickly as possible through the tubing. The recording device measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled and the length of time each breath takes.

Spirometer
Spirometry

A simpler device for measuring how quickly air can be exhaled is the small, hand-held peak flow meter. After inhaling deeply, a person blows into this device as hard as possible.

Lung volume measurement

Lung volume measurements reflect the stiffness or elasticity of the lungs and rib cage as well as the strength of respiratory muscles Respiratory muscles Breathing is usually automatic, controlled subconsciously by the respiratory center at the base of the brain. Breathing continues during sleep and usually even when a person is unconscious.... read more . The lungs are abnormally stiff in disorders such as pulmonary fibrosis Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common form of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis affects mostly people over the age of 50 years, usually people who have... read more , and the chest wall is abnormally stiff in disorders such as curvature of the spine (scoliosis Scoliosis Scoliosis is abnormal curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can be present at birth or can develop during adolescence. Mild forms may cause only mild discomfort, but more severe forms can cause... read more Scoliosis ). Various neuromuscular disorders such as myasthenia gravis Myasthenia Gravis Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder that impairs communication between nerves and muscles, resulting in episodes of muscle weakness. Myasthenia gravis results from malfunction of the... read more and Guillain-Barré syndrome Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) Guillain-Barré syndrome is a form of polyneuropathy causing muscle weakness, which usually worsens over a few days to weeks, then slowly improves or returns to normal on its own. With treatment... read more can cause weakness of the diaphragm and other respiratory muscles, decreasing the volume of air in the lungs. Increased stiffness of the lungs causes lower lung volume measurements. In disorders such as COPD, decreased elasticity of the lungs makes it difficult to breathe out. More air is trapped in the lungs, causing higher than expected lung volume measurements.

Lung volume measurements made using spirometry are only estimates. More accurate measurements can be made using

  • Body plethysmography

  • Gas dilution

In body plethysmography, a person sits inside an airtight plastic box. Because the box is airtight, the volume of air the person breathes in and the change in air pressure during breathing can be measured. A computer calculates lung volumes based on these measurements.

Using gas dilution, a person breathes in a known amount of a gas, usually helium. A computer calculates lung volume based on how much gas the person exhales.

Flow rate testing

Most spirometers can continuously display lung volumes and flow rates during a forced breathing maneuver. These flow rates can be particularly helpful in detecting abnormalities that partially block the voice box (larynx) and windpipe (trachea).

Muscle strength assessment

Diffusing capacity measurement

A diffusing capacity test can estimate how efficiently oxygen is transferred from the air sacs of the lungs (alveoli) to the bloodstream. Because the diffusing capacity of oxygen is difficult to measure directly, a person inhales a small amount of carbon monoxide, holds the breath for 10 seconds, and then exhales into a carbon monoxide detector.

Maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV)

MVV measures a person's maximum overall ability to breathe. This test is done in the sitting position. A person is instructed to breathe as rapidly and deeply as possible through a spirometer for a predetermined period of time, usually 15 to 30 seconds. The volume of air moved over that period of time is measured. MVV will be decreased in diseases that affect airflow or weaken respiratory muscles. Because this test is dependent upon the ability of a person to cooperate, it is not used as often as other lung function tests.

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