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What is a PFT?
Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are noninvasive tests that show how well the lungs are working. The tests measure lung volume, capacity, rates of flow, and gas exchange. This information can help your healthcare provider diagnose and decide the treatment of certain lung disorders.
What tests are performed in my Pulmonary Function Testing Appointment?
There are a series of tests which are performed by a specially trained Respiratory Therapist that make up a complete pulmonary function test (PFT). The non-invasive tests that make up a full PFT include: spirometry, lung volume measurement and diffusion capacity measurement.
The Spirometry Measures
Spirometry how much air you can breathe into your lungs and how much air you can quickly blow out of your lungs. This test is done by having you take in a deep breath and then, as fast as you can, blow out all of the air. You will be blowing into a tube connected to a machine (spirometer). To get the “best” test result, the test is repeated three times.
Diffusion Capacity
Diffusion tests find out how well the oxygen in the air you breathe in moves from your lungs into your blood. You will be asked to empty your lungs by gently breathing out as much air as you can into a mouthpiece. Then you will breathe in a quick (but deep breath), hold your breath for 10 seconds, and then breathe out as instructed. You will do the test usually 2-3 times.
Body Plethysmography
Body plethysmography is a test to find out how much air is in your lungs after you take in a deep breath, and how much air is left in your lungs after breathing out as much as you can. Sitting in a booth with windows, you will wear a nose clip and be asked to take short, shallow breaths through the mouthpiece when it is blocked for a few seconds. It usually takes about 10 minutes to complete this portion.
Your physician may require you to do a PFT to:
Compare your lung function with known standards that show how well your lungs should be working.
Decide if a medicine (such as a bronchodilator) could be helpful to use.
Determine your ability to tolerate surgery and medical procedures.
Further assess symptoms such as: shortness of breath, cough, long term COVID symptoms
To get diagnostic test results to diagnose conditions such as: Asthma, COPD, Emphysema, Sarcoidosis, Interstitial Lung Disease
Identify early changes in lung function that might show a need for a change in treatment or detect narrowing in the airways.
Decide if a medicine (such as a bronchodilator) could be helpful to use.
Show whether exposure to substances in your home or workplace may have harmed your lungs.
Assess patients with a smoking history or current smoker
Measure the effect of chronic diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), or cystic fibrosis on lung function.
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- 780-756-7786
- 780-761-3225
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- #210 - 236 91 St SW, Edmonton, AB, T6X 1W8