Chapter 1: Spirometry and How
is it Used?Outline of Physician Teaching Material
Chapter 1: Spirometry and How
is it Used?
Spirometry is a diagnostic test that measures lung capacity and is used for evaluating respiratory symptoms, monitoring respiratory conditions and determining severity of pulmonary limitation. The test consists of measuring exhaled volume and flow rate of air with the important measurements being FEV1, FVC and FEV1/FVC%.
Chapter 2: Technical Aspects
of Spirometry
Accurate spirometry test results should be free of technical errors. Testing requires the use of volume-based or flow-type equipment with a trained technician and a cooperative patient.
Chapter 3:
Spirometry Quality Assurance Program
Accurate spirometry testing
requires a quality assurance program with attention to standardized procedures,
technician training and required records/logs.
Chapter 4:
Spirometry Specifications and Calibration
Requirements
Equipment specifications have been established by professional societies. Calibration of equipment is essential for accurate test results.
Chapter 5: Valid Test
Spirometry test results should
meet acceptability and repeatability criteria.
Chapter 6:
Interpretation of Results and Clinical Correlation
Interpreting spirometry test results requires choosing reference/predicted values (including the lower limits of normal or LLN) for comparison with actual test values.
Chapter 7:
Clinical Examples
An approach to the
interpretation of spirometry test results is shown by using clinical examples
with additional information for clinical correlations.
Chapter 8:
Other Pulmonary Function Tests
Spirometry is often a screening test with other pulmonary tests used for further evaluation of respiratory symptoms or assessing severity of pulmonary disease.
Chapter 9:
Medical/Respiratory Surveillance and Longitudinal Changes
Chapter 10:
Controversial Topics
Criteria for defining obstruction (FEV1/FVC <70% vs. LLN); Use of FEV6 and other measurement parameters; Different approaches to determining excessive decline in longitudinal spirometry results; spirometry used as a tool for COPD screening.
Chapter 11: Spirometers
Used in Ongoing Trials