What do you do when the predicted is zero?
A very strange spirometry report came across my desk a couple of days ago. Observed: Predicted: %Predicted: FVC: 3.07 0 29767 FEV1: 2.15 0 37586 FEV1/FVC: 70 71 101% My…
A very strange spirometry report came across my desk a couple of days ago. Observed: Predicted: %Predicted: FVC: 3.07 0…
27 Jun 2017 June 27, 2017 • Leave a comment
The effects of anemia on exercise
Last week I was reviewing the exercise test results from a patient that appeared to have a relatively straightforward cardiovascular limitation when I noticed the patient also had severe anemia…
Last week I was reviewing the exercise test results from a patient that appeared to have a relatively straightforward cardiovascular…
22 May 2017 May 22, 2017 • Leave a comment
Is there such a thing as a normal decrease when the FEV1 isn’t normal?
I’ve mentioned before that my lab’s database goes back to 1990, so we now have 27 years of test results available for trending. At least a couple times a week…
I’ve mentioned before that my lab’s database goes back to 1990, so we now have 27 years of test results…
14 May 2017 May 14, 2017 • Leave a comment
What does an inverse I:E Ratio during exercise mean?
Inspiration and expiration usually take different lengths of time, with inspiration almost always being shorter than exhalation. This is due to both to the physiology of breathing and to the…
Inspiration and expiration usually take different lengths of time, with inspiration almost always being shorter than exhalation. This is due…
7 May 2017 May 7, 2017 • Leave a comment
2017 ERS Methacholine Challenge Standards
After a couple years of waiting for the new methacholine standards to be released “any day now”, they were finally published in this month’s issue of the European Respiratory Journal.…
After a couple years of waiting for the new methacholine standards to be released “any day now”, they were finally…
5 May 2017 May 5, 2017 • Leave a comment
Measuring respiratory resistance with the APD
Inspiratory and expiratory flow rates are a function of driving pressure (i.e. the pressure difference between the alveoli and the atmosphere) and airway resistance. For this reason it would seem…
Inspiratory and expiratory flow rates are a function of driving pressure (i.e. the pressure difference between the alveoli and the…
16 Apr 2017 April 16, 2017 • Leave a comment
Social Security Disability Evaluations
I was contacted recently by an individual with some questions about the pulmonary function testing needed for a Social Security Disability evaluation. With a small amount of research I was…
I was contacted recently by an individual with some questions about the pulmonary function testing needed for a Social Security…
9 Apr 2017 April 9, 2017 • Leave a comment
CPT Codes
About a month or so ago I was corresponding with the manager of a small PFT lab and in response to one of their questions I had mentioned that there…
About a month or so ago I was corresponding with the manager of a small PFT lab and in response…
2 Apr 2017 April 2, 2017 • Leave a comment
Another post-BD FVC conundrum
Okay, this may be wrong but at the moment I’m can’t seem to find a reason why it should be. A report like this came across my desk a couple…
Okay, this may be wrong but at the moment I’m can’t seem to find a reason why it should be.…
26 Mar 2017 March 26, 2017 • Leave a comment