DYNAMIC PULMONARY
FUNCTION TESTS
By
Dr. Dalia Abdel Ghaffar
Pulmonary Function Tests
• These tests are divided into 2 groups :
Static tests(volume based and slow)
Dynamic tests (time based ,flow
dependent and forced)
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
Static Pulmonary Function Tests
These tests are :
• Lung volumes (4 volumes)
• Lung capacities (5 capacities)
• Dead space
• Pulmonary ventilation (minute resp. volume)
• Alveolar ventilation
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
Apparatus
(spirometer)
• It is the apparatus used to measure
pulmonary function tests.
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
IRV
IC
VC
TV TLC
ERV
FRC
RV RV
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
Dynamic Pulmonary Function Tests
• Timed vital capacity.
• Maximum breathing capacity.
• Peak expiratory flow rate.
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
Dynamic Pulmonary Function Tests
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
Timed vital capacity
(FVC)
During this test, you will be instructed to inhale as deeply as possible and
then exhale as forcefully as you can into the mouthpiece of a spirometer.
The Spirometer measures:
- the total amount of air = vital capacity (FVC)
- the amount of air that is exhaled in the first second of purposefully trying
to breathe out as much air as possible. (FEV1 stands for "forced expiratory
volume in one second."),
then calculate the ratio FEV1/FVC.
the normal ratio :
FEV1/FVC= 83%
FEV2/FVC= 93%
FEV3/FVC= 97%
Timed vital capacity
(FVC)
Def.: vital capacity in relation to time
Values:
FEV1= FEV1 X 100 = 83 %
FVC
FE V2 93% 83
%
FE V3 97%
Importance of T.V.C:
Diagnosis of obstructive lung disease.
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
10
Significance of FEV1 test :
the FEV1/FVC ratio is often used to help distinguish
between obstructive and restrictive lung diseases
(which cause similar symptoms but have different causes)
The procedure is repeated at least three times to obtain a consistent and
average FEV1 value
Reduced FEV1 with an FEV1/FVC ratio in the normal range is consistent
with restrictive lung diseases, such as pneumonia, sarcoidosis, and
pulmonary fibrosis.
An FEV1/FVC ratio below 70% is more consistent with obstructive lung
diseases like COPD, asthma
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
Maximal voluntary
ventilation (M.V.V):
It is the maximal volume of air that can breathed /
minute using a fastest rate and deepest respiratory effort
possible
Normally M.V.V = 80-160 L/min for male
= 60-120 L/min for female
Average 100 L/min.
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
14
Maximal voluntary ventilation (M.V.V):
Normally M.V.V Average 100 L/min.
* Breathing reserve (BR.):
B.R = MVV - MIN.RV.
100 - 6 = 94 L/min.
* Dyspneic Index. Normally = BR X 100 =94%
MVV
If it is less than 60% dyspnea occurs
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
15
Maximal (peak) expiratory flow rate
*Definition: the maximal velocity of air flow that can be produced during a forced expiration.
(PEFR)
*measured by :peak flow meter.
*Low values :in case of obstruction to air flow (in asthma )
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
PEAK FLOW METER
Physiology Department, Mansoura Faculty of Medicine
