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Spirometry

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Spirometry (meaning the measuring of breath) is the most common of the pulmonary function tests (PFTs). It measures lung function, specifically the amount (volume) and/or speed (flow) of air that can be inhaled and exhaled. Spirometry is helpful in assessing breathing patterns that identify conditions such as asthma, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis, and COPD. It is also helpful as part of a system of health surveillance, in which breathing patterns are measured over time.[1]

Spirometry
Flow-Volume loop showing successful FVC maneuver. Positive values represent expiration, negative values represent inspiration. At the start of the test both flow and volume are equal to zero (representing the volume in the spirometer rather than the lung). The trace moves clockwise for expiration followed by inspiration. After the starting point the curve rapidly mounts to a peak (the peak expiratory flow). (Note the FEV1 value is arbitrary in this graph and just shown for illustrative purposes; these values must be calculated as part of the procedure).
MeSHD013147
OPS-301 code1-712
TLCTotal lung capacity: the volume in the lungs at maximal inflation, the sum of VC and RV.
TVTidal volume: that volume of air moved into or out of the lungs in 1 breath (TV indicates a subdivision of the lung; when tidal volume is precisely measured, as in gas exchange calculation, the symbol TV or VT is used.)
RVResidual volume: the volume of air remaining in the lungs after a maximal exhalation
ERVExpiratory reserve volume: the maximal volume of air that can be exhaled from the end-expiratory position
IRVInspiratory reserve volume: the maximal volume that can be inhaled from the end-inspiratory level
ICInspiratory capacity: the sum of IRV and TV
IVCInspiratory vital capacity: the maximum volume of air inhaled from the point of maximum expiration
VCVital capacity: the volume of air breathed out after the deepest inhalation.
VTTidal volume: that volume of air moved into or out of the lungs during quiet breathing (VT indicates a subdivision of the lung; when tidal volume is precisely measured, as in gas exchange calculation, the symbol TV or VT is used.)
FRCFunctional residual capacity: the volume in the lungs at the end-expiratory position
RV/TLC%Residual volume expressed as percent of TLC
VAAlveolar gas volume
VLActual volume of the lung including the volume of the conducting airway.
FVCForced vital capacity: the determination of the vital capacity from a maximally forced expiratory effort
FEVtForced expiratory volume (time): a generic term indicating the volume of air exhaled under forced conditions in the first t seconds
FEV1Volume that has been exhaled at the end of the first second of forced expiration
FEFxForced expiratory flow related to some portion of the FVC curve; modifiers refer to amount of FVC already exhaled
FEFmaxThe maximum instantaneous flow achieved during a FVC maneuver
FIFForced inspiratory flow: (Specific measurement of the forced inspiratory curve is denoted by nomenclature analogous to that for the forced expiratory curve. For example, maximum inspiratory flow is denoted FIFmax. Unless otherwise specified, volume qualifiers indicate the volume inspired from RV at the point of measurement.)
PEFPeak expiratory flow: The highest forced expiratory flow measured with a peak flow meter
MVVMaximal voluntary ventilation: volume of air expired in a specified period during repetitive maximal effort
Doing spirometry

Spirometry generates pneumotachographs, which are charts that plot the volume and flow of air coming in and out of the lungs from one inhalation and one exhalation.

Testing

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A modern USB PC-based spirometer.
 
Device for spirometry. The patient places his or her lips around the blue mouthpiece. The teeth go between the nubs and the shield, and the lips go over the shield. A nose clip guarantees that breath will flow only through the mouth.
 
Screen for spirometry readouts at right. The chamber can also be used for body plethysmography.

Spirometer

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The spirometry test is performed using a device called a spirometer,[2] which comes in several different varieties. Most spirometers display the following graphs, called spirograms:

  • a volume-time curve, showing volume (litres) along the Y-axis and time (seconds) along the X-axis
  • a flow-volume loop, which graphically depicts the rate of airflow on the Y-axis and the total volume inspired or expired on the X-axis

Procedure

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The basic forced volume vital capacity (FVC) test varies slightly depending on the equipment used. It can be in the form of either closed or open circuit. Regardless of differences in testing procedure providers are recommended to follow the ATS/ERS Standardisation of Spirometry. The standard procedure ensures an accurate and objectively collected set of data, based on a common reference, to reduce incompatibility of the results when shared across differing medical groups.

The patient is asked to put on soft nose clips to prevent air escape and a breathing sensor in their mouth forming an air tight seal. Guided by a technician, the patient is given step by step instructions to take an abrupt maximum effort inhale, followed by a maximum effort exhale lasting for a target of at least 6 seconds. When assessing possible upper airway obstruction, the technician will direct the patient to make an additional rapid inhalation to complete the round. The timing of the second inhale can vary between persons depending on the length of the proceeding exhale. In some cases each round of test will be proceeded by a period of normal, gentle breathing for additional data.

Limitations

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Clinically useful results are highly dependent on patient cooperation and effort and must be repeated for a minimum of three times to ensure reproducibility with a general limit of ten attempts. Given variable rates of effort, the results can only be underestimated given an effort output greater than 100% is not possible.[citation needed]

Due to the need for patient cooperation and an ability to understand and follow instructions, spirometry can typically only be done in cooperative children when they at least 5 years old[3][4] or adults without physical or mental impairment preventing effective diagnostic results. In addition, General anesthesia and various forms of sedation are not compatible with the testing process.

Another limitation is that persons with intermittent or mild asthma can present normal spirometry values between acute exacerbation, reducing spirometry's effectiveness as a diagnostic tool in these circumstances.[citation needed]

Supplemental diagnostics

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Spirometry can also be part of a bronchial challenge test, used to determine bronchial hyperresponsiveness to either rigorous exercise, inhalation of cold/dry air, or with a pharmaceutical agent such as methacholine or histamine.

To assess the reversibility of a particular condition, a bronchodilator can be administered before performing another round of tests for comparison. This is commonly referred to as a reversibility test, or a post bronchodilator test (Post BD), and is an important part in diagnosing asthma versus COPD.

Other complementary lung functions tests include plethysmography and nitrogen washout.

Indications

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Spirometry is indicated for the following reasons:

Contraindications

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Forced expiratory maneuvers may aggravate some medical conditions.[9] Spirometry should not be performed when the individual presents with:

Parameters

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The most common parameters measured in spirometry are vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume (FEV) at timed intervals of 0.5, 1.0 (FEV1), 2.0, and 3.0 seconds, forced expiratory flow 25–75% (FEF 25–75) and maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV),[10] also known as Maximum breathing capacity.[11] Other tests may be performed in certain situations.

Results are usually given in both raw data (litres, litres per second) and percent predicted—the test result as a percent of the "predicted values" for the patients of similar characteristics (height, age, sex, and sometimes race and weight). The interpretation of the results can vary depending on the physician and the source of the predicted values. Generally speaking, results nearest to 100% predicted are the most normal, and results over 80% are often considered normal. Multiple publications of predicted values have been published and may be calculated based on age, sex, weight and ethnicity. However, review by a doctor is necessary for accurate diagnosis of any individual situation.

A bronchodilator is also given in certain circumstances and a pre/post graph comparison is done to assess the effectiveness of the bronchodilator. See the example printout.

Functional residual capacity (FRC) cannot be measured via spirometry, but it can be measured with a plethysmograph or dilution tests (for example, helium dilution test).

 
Average values for forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and forced expiratory flow 25–75% (FEF25–75%), according to a study in the United States 2007 of 3,600 subjects aged 4–80 years.[12] Y-axis is expressed in litres for FVC and FEV1, and in litres/second for FEF25–75%.

 

Forced vital capacity (FVC)

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Forced vital capacity (FVC) is the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out after full inspiration,[13] measured in liters. FVC is the most basic maneuver in spirometry tests.

Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)

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FEV1 is the volume of air that can forcibly be blown out in first 1-second, after full inspiration.[13] Average values for FEV1 in healthy people depend mainly on sex and age, according to the diagram. Values of between 80% and 120% of the average value are considered normal.[14] Predicted normal values for FEV1 can be calculated and depend on age, sex, height, mass and ethnicity as well as the research study that they are based on.

FEV1/FVC ratio

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FEV1/FVC is the ratio of FEV1 to FVC. In healthy adults this should be approximately 70–80% (declining with age).[15] In obstructive diseases (asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema) FEV1 is diminished because of increased airway resistance to expiratory flow; the FVC may be decreased as well, due to the premature closure of airway in expiration, just not in the same proportion as FEV1 (for instance, both FEV1 and FVC are reduced, but the former is more affected because of the increased airway resistance). This generates a reduced value (<70%, often ~45%). In restrictive diseases (such as pulmonary fibrosis) the FEV1 and FVC are both reduced proportionally and the value may be normal or even increased as a result of decreased lung compliance.

A derived value of FEV1 is FEV1% predicted (FEV1%), which is defined as FEV1 of the patient divided by the average FEV1 in the population for any person of the same age, height, gender, and race.[medical citation needed]

Forced expiratory flow (FEF)

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Forced expiratory flow (FEF) is the flow (or speed) of air coming out of the lung during the middle portion of a forced expiration. It can be given at discrete times, generally defined by what fraction of the forced vital capacity (FVC) has been exhaled. The usual discrete intervals are 25%, 50% and 75% (FEF25, FEF50 and FEF75), or 25% and 50% of FVC that has been exhaled. It can also be given as a mean of the flow during an interval, also generally delimited by when specific fractions remain of FVC, usually 25–75% (FEF25–75%). Average ranges in the healthy population depend mainly on sex and age, with FEF25–75% shown in diagram at left. Values ranging from 50 to 60% and up to 130% of the average are considered normal.[14] Predicted normal values for FEF can be calculated and depend on age, sex, height, mass and ethnicity as well as the research study that they are based on.

MMEF or MEF stands for maximal (mid-)expiratory flow and is the peak of expiratory flow as taken from the flow-volume curve and measured in liters per second. It should theoretically be identical to peak expiratory flow (PEF), which is, however, generally measured by a peak flow meter and given in liters per minute.[16]

Recent research suggests that FEF25-75% or FEF25-50% may be a more sensitive parameter than FEV1 in the detection of obstructive small airway disease.[17][18] However, in the absence of concomitant changes in the standard markers, discrepancies in mid-range expiratory flow may not be specific enough to be useful, and current practice guidelines recommend continuing to use FEV1, VC, and FEV1/VC as indicators of obstructive disease.[19][20]

More rarely, forced expiratory flow may be given at intervals defined by how much remains of total lung capacity. In such cases, it is usually designated as e.g. FEF70%TLC, FEF60%TLC and FEF50%TLC.[16]

Forced inspiratory flow 25–75% or 25–50%

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Forced inspiratory flow 25–75% or 25–50% (FIF 25–75% or 25–50%) is similar to FEF 25–75% or 25–50% except the measurement is taken during inspiration.[medical citation needed]

Peak expiratory flow (PEF)

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Normal values for peak expiratory flow (PEF), shown on EU scale.[21]

Peak expiratory flow (PEF) is the maximal flow (or speed) achieved during the maximally forced expiration initiated at full inspiration, measured in liters per minute or in liters per second.

Tidal volume (TV)

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Tidal volume is the amount of air inhaled or exhaled normally at rest.[medical citation needed]

Total lung capacity (TLC)

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Total lung capacity (TLC) is the maximum volume of air present in the lungs.[medical citation needed]

Diffusing capacity (DLCO)

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Diffusing capacity (or DLCO) is the carbon monoxide uptake from a single inspiration in a standard time (usually 10 seconds). During the test the person inhales a test gas mixture that consisting of regular air that includes an inert tracer gas and CO, less than one percent. Since hemoglobin has a greater affinity to CO than oxygen the breath-hold time can be only 10 seconds, which is a sufficient amount of time for this transfer of CO to occur. Since the inhaled amount of CO is known, the exhaled CO is subtracted to determine the amount transferred during the breath-hold time. The tracer gas is analyzed simultaneously with CO to determine the distribution of the test gas mixture. This test will pick up diffusion impairments, for instance in pulmonary fibrosis.[22] This must be corrected for anemia (a low hemoglobin concentration will reduce DLCO) and pulmonary hemorrhage (excess RBC's in the interstitium or alveoli can absorb CO and artificially increase the DLCO capacity). Atmospheric pressure and/or altitude will also affect measured DLCO, and so a correction factor is needed to adjust for standard pressure.

Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV)

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Maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV) is a measure of the maximum amount of air that can be inhaled and exhaled within one minute. For the comfort of the patient this is done over a 15-second time period before being extrapolated to a value for one minute expressed as liters/minute. Average values for males and females are 140–180 and 80–120 liters per minute respectively.[medical citation needed]

Static lung compliance (Cst)

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When estimating static lung compliance, volume measurements by the spirometer needs to be complemented by pressure transducers in order to simultaneously measure the transpulmonary pressure. When having drawn a curve with the relations between changes in volume to changes in transpulmonary pressure, Cst is the slope of the curve during any given volume, or, mathematically, ΔV/ΔP.[23] Static lung compliance is perhaps the most sensitive parameter for the detection of abnormal pulmonary mechanics.[24] It is considered normal if it is 60% to 140% of the average value in the population for any person of similar age, sex and body composition.[14]

In those with acute respiratory failure on mechanical ventilation, "the static compliance of the total respiratory system is conventionally obtained by dividing the tidal volume by the difference between the 'plateau' pressure measured at the airway opening (PaO) during an occlusion at end-inspiration and positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) set by the ventilator".[25]

Measurement Approximate value
Male Female
Forced vital capacity (FVC) 4.8 L 3.7 L
Tidal volume (Vt) 500 mL 390 mL
Total lung capacity (TLC) 6.0 L 4.7 L

Others

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Forced Expiratory Time (FET)
Forced Expiratory Time (FET) measures the length of the expiration in seconds.

Slow vital capacity (SVC)
Slow vital capacity (SVC) is the maximum volume of air that can be exhaled slowly after slow maximum inhalation.

Maximal pressure (Pmax and Pi)

Spirometer - ERV in cc (cm3) average Age 20
Male Female
4320 3387


Pmax is the asymptotically maximal pressure that can be developed by the respiratory muscles at any lung volume and Pi is the maximum inspiratory pressure that can be developed at specific lung volumes.[26] This measurement also requires pressure transducers in addition. It is considered normal if it is 60% to 140% of the average value in the population for any person of similar age, sex and body composition.[14] A derived parameter is the coefficient of retraction (CR) which is Pmax/TLC .[16]

Mean transit time (MTT)
Mean transit time is the area under the flow-volume curve divided by the forced vital capacity.[27]

Maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) MIP, also known as negative inspiratory force (NIF), is the maximum pressure that can be generated against an occluded airway beginning at functional residual capacity (FRC). It is a marker of respiratory muscle function and strength.[28] Represented by centimeters of water pressure (cmH2O) and measured with a manometer. Maximum inspiratory pressure is an important and noninvasive index of diaphragm strength and an independent tool for diagnosing many illnesses.[29] Typical maximum inspiratory pressures in adult males can be estimated from the equation, MIP = 142 - (1.03 x Age) cmH2O, where age is in years.[30]

Technologies used in spirometers

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  • Volumetric Spirometers
  • Flow measuring Spirometers
    • Fleisch-pneumotach
    • Lilly (screen) pneumotach
    • Turbine/Stator Rotor (normally incorrectly referred to as a turbine. Actually a rotating vane which spins because of the air flow generated by the subject. The revolutions of the vane are counted as they break a light beam)
    • Pitot tube
    • Hot-wire anemometer
    • Ultrasound

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Spirometry". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Retrieved 31 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Spirometry". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  3. ^ Montes, Jacqueline; Kaufmann, Petra (2015). "Outcome Measures in Neuromuscular Diseases". Neuromuscular Disorders of Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence. pp. 1078–1089. doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-417044-5.00054-8. ISBN 978-0-12-417044-5.
  4. ^ Pruthi, M.D., Sandhya (6 January 2022). "Asthma: Steps in testing and diagnosis". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
  5. ^ American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. "Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question" (PDF). Choosing Wisely: an initiative of the ABIM Foundation. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Retrieved 14 August 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma (PDF) (NIH Publication Number 08-5846 ed.). National Institutes of Health. 2007.
  7. ^ Bateman, E. D.; Hurd, S. S.; Barnes, P. J.; Bousquet, J.; Drazen, J. M.; Fitzgerald, M.; Gibson, P.; Ohta, K.; O'Byrne, P.; Pedersen, S. E.; Pizzichini, E.; Sullivan, S. D.; Wenzel, S. E.; Zar, H. J. (2008). "Global strategy for asthma management and prevention: GINA executive summary". European Respiratory Journal. 31 (1): 143–178. doi:10.1183/09031936.00138707. PMID 18166595. S2CID 206960094.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h Pierce, R. (2005). "Spirometry: An essential clinical measurement". Australian Family Physician. 34 (7): 535–539. PMID 15999163.
  9. ^ Clark, Margaret Varnell (2010). Asthma: A Clinician's Guide (ist ed.). Burlington, Ma.: Jones & Bartlett Learning. p. 46. ISBN 978-0763778545.
  10. ^ surgeryencyclopedia.com > Spirometry tests. Retrieved 14 March 2010.
  11. ^ MVV and MBC
  12. ^ Stanojevic S, Wade A, Stocks J, et al. (February 2008). "Reference Ranges for Spirometry Across All Ages: A New Approach". Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med. 177 (3): 253–60. doi:10.1164/rccm.200708-1248OC. PMC 2643211. PMID 18006882.
  13. ^ a b Perez, LL (March–April 2013). "Office spirometry". Osteopathic Family Physician. 5 (2): 65–69. doi:10.1016/j.osfp.2012.09.003.
  14. ^ a b c d LUNGFUNKTION — Practice compendium for semester 6. Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Physiology, Academic Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. Retrieved 2010.
  15. ^ Clinic, the Cleveland (2010). Current clinical medicine 2010 (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders. p. 8. ISBN 978-1416066439.
  16. ^ a b c Interpretation model — compendium at Uppsala Academic Hospital. By H. Hedenström. 2009-02-04
  17. ^ Simon, Michael R.; Chinchilli, Vernon M.; Phillips, Brenda R.; Sorkness, Christine A.; Lemanske Jr., Robert F.; Szefler, Stanley J.; Taussig, Lynn; Bacharier, Leonard B.; Morgan, Wayne (1 September 2010). "Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity and FEV1/forced vital capacity ratio in relation to clinical and physiological parameters in asthmatic children with normal FEV1 values". Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 126 (3): 527–534.e8. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2010.05.016. PMC 2933964. PMID 20638110.
  18. ^ Ciprandi, Giorgio; Cirillo, Ignazio (1 February 2011). "Forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of vital capacity may be a marker of bronchial impairment in allergic rhinitis". Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 127 (2): 549, discussion 550–1. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2010.10.053. PMID 21281879.
  19. ^ Pellegrino R, Viegi G, Brusasco V, Crapo RO, Burgos F, Casaburi R, Coates A, van der Grinten CP, Gustafsson P, Hankinson J, Jensen R, Johnson DC, MacIntyre N, McKay R, Miller MR, Navajas D, Pedersen OF, Wanger J (November 2005). "Interpretative strategies for lung function tests". The European Respiratory Journal. 26 (5): 948–68. doi:10.1183/09031936.05.00035205. PMID 16264058. S2CID 2741306.
  20. ^ Kreider, Maryl. "Chapter 14.1 Pulmonary Function Testing". ACP Medicine. Decker Intellectual Properties. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  21. ^ Nunn AJ, Gregg I (April 1989). "New regression equations for predicting peak expiratory flow in adults". BMJ. 298 (6680): 1068–70. doi:10.1136/bmj.298.6680.1068. PMC 1836460. PMID 2497892. Adapted by Clement Clarke for use in EU scale — see Peakflow.com ⇒ Predictive Normal Values (Nomogram, EU scale)
  22. ^ MedlinePlus Encyclopedia: Lung diffusion testing
  23. ^ George, Ronald B. (2005). Chest medicine: essentials of pulmonary and critical care medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 96. ISBN 978-0-7817-5273-2.
  24. ^ Sud, A.; Gupta, D.; Wanchu, A.; Jindal, S. K.; Bambery, P. (2001). "Static lung compliance as an index of early pulmonary disease in systemic sclerosis". Clinical Rheumatology. 20 (3): 177–180. doi:10.1007/s100670170060. PMID 11434468. S2CID 19170708.
  25. ^ Rossi, A.; Gottfried, S. B.; Zocchi, L.; Higgs, B. D.; Lennox, S.; Calverley, P. M.; Begin, P.; Grassino, A.; Milic-Emili, J. (May 1985). "Measurement of static compliance of the total respiratory system in patients with acute respiratory failure during mechanical ventilation. The effect of intrinsic positive end-expiratory pressure". The American Review of Respiratory Disease. 131 (5): 672–677. doi:10.1164/arrd.1985.131.5.672 (inactive 1 November 2024). PMID 4003913.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
  26. ^ Lausted, Christopher G; Johnson, Arthur T; Scott, William H; Johnson, Monique M; Coyne, Karen M; Coursey, Derya C (December 2006). "Maximum static inspiratory and expiratory pressures with different lung volumes". BioMedical Engineering OnLine. 5 (1): 29. doi:10.1186/1475-925X-5-29. PMC 1501025. PMID 16677384.
  27. ^ Borth, F. M. (1982). "The derivation of an index of ventilatory function from spirometric recordings using canonical analysis". British Journal of Diseases of the Chest. 76 (4): 400–756. doi:10.1016/0007-0971(82)90077-8. PMID 7150499.
  28. ^ Page 352 in: Irwin, Richard (2008). Procedures, techniques, and minimally invasive monitoring in intensive care medicine. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. ISBN 978-0-7817-7862-6.
  29. ^ Sachs MC, Enright PL, Hinckley Stukovsky KD, Jiang R, Barr RG, Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis Lung Study (2009). "Performance of maximum inspiratory pressure tests and maximum inspiratory pressure reference equations for 4 race/ethnic groups". Respir Care. 54 (10): 1321–8. PMC 3616895. PMID 19796411.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  30. ^ Wilson SH, Cooke NT, Edwards RH, Spiro SG (July 1984). "Predicted normal values for maximal respiratory pressures in caucasian adults and children". Thorax. 39 (7): 535–8. doi:10.1136/thx.39.7.535. PMC 459855. PMID 6463933.

Further reading

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