Pulmonary Function

Tests

Dr. Nisreen Mansour

Pulmonary Functions Tests

I- Static Tests

1- MRV

2- EPV

3- Dead Space

4- Lung
volumes
& Capacities
Dr. Nisreen
Manso

II- Dynamic Tests

Maximal voluntary ventilation; MVV

Timed vital capacity; FVC

Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; PEFR

I- Static Tests
Describe

change in volume of the

lungs during 1 breathe

Dr. Nisreen Manso

I- Static Tests
1-

Minute Respiratory Volume

(MRV)
Volume of air that enters into the lung in 1
min.
= Tidal volume x Resp. rate
= 500 ml x 16 = 8 L/min

Dr. Nisreen Manso

2- Effective Pulmonary
Ventilation (E.P.V)
The volume of air that actually undergoes

gas exchange in the alveoli with the

pulmonary capillaries = 350 ml of 500 ml
that represent Tidal volume
Thus, E.P.V or Alveolar ventilation
= 350 ml x 16/min
=5.6 L/min
Dr. Nisreen Manso

 The difference in volume between MRV &

EPV that = 500-350= 150 ml

Why calculating the alveolar ventilation is
important?
Because some diseases can affect EPV but
not the MRV

Dr. Nisreen Manso

3- Dead Space
The space that contains the volume of air

that dose not undergo gas exchange

Dead space is filled with inhaled air at the
end of inspiration & with alveolar air at the
end of expiration
Types of Dead space:
Anatomical; conducting zone of resp.tract
Physiological; non-functioning or partly
functioning alveoli
Physiological DS = anatomical D.S + nonfunctioning alveoli
Dr. Nisreen Manso

4- Lung Volumes &

Capacities
Spirometry is measuring

lung volumes & capacities

(except RV, FRC).
The device is spirometer
Spirometry
- gives a preliminary idea
about lung functions
- Assessment of
bronchodilator treatment
Dr. Nisreen Manso

Lung Volumes
1- Tidal volume
= 500 ml
2- Inspiratory Reserve volume
= 3000 ml
3- Expiratory Reserve volume
= 1000 ml
4- **Residual Volume (what is its significance?)
= 1200 ml
5- Minimal Air
(1st breath air; of medicolegal
Dr. importance)
Nisreen Manso

Spirogram; record of Lung Volumes & Capacities

Dr. Nisreen Manso

Lung Capacities
1- Inspiratory Capacity
=TV+IRV=500+3000= 3500 ml
2- Expiratory Capacity
= TV+ERV= 500+1000 = 1500 ml
3- Functional Residual Capacity
= volume remaining in lungs after normal
expiration = RV+ERV = 1200+1000
= 2200 ml
4- Vital capacity
= TV+IRV+ERV=500+3000+1000
= 4500 ml
5- Total lung capacity
= VC+RV= 4500+1200
Dr. Nisreen Manso
= 5700 ml

Vital Capacity

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Def.
Factors affecting VC:
Posture
Abdominal content
Respiratory muscles
Thoracic wall
Resistance to airflow
Lung elasticity
Pulmonary blood volume

Dr. Nisreen Manso

Chest

Lung

II- Dynamic Lung Functions

Tests
1- Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV) or MBC
Breathing as rapid & as deep as possible for 15 sec
= 80-160 L/min in
= 60-120 L/min in
Breathing Reserve = MVV-MPV
=100 - 8 = 92 L/min
Dyspnoea Index = Breathing Reserve/MBC
Normally = 90%
Dyspnoea < 60%

Dr. Nisreen Manso

2- Timed Vital Capacity (FVC) & Forced

Expiratory Volume (FEV)
Useful & common screening test
Forced expiratory volume (FEV) used for

measuring volume of air expired/unit time

Normally, one expires 80% of VC in 1 st
second, so
ratio FEV1/FVC = 8o% or more
- By 2 sec. ratio FEV2/FVC = 93%
- By 3 sec. FEV3/FVC = 97%
Dr. Nisreen Manso

FEV/FVC

FEV1/FVC

< 80% : Obstructive lung dis.

FEV1/FVC 80%: restrictive lung dis.
Dr. Nisreen Manso

3- Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)

Measuring maximal velocity

of expired air after forceful
inspiration
using peak flow meter
Values for age, sex, height
Alternative for FEV/FVC
Reduced in Obstructive lung
dis.
Of special importance in
asthma for rapid follow up of
treatment efficacy

Dr. Nisreen Manso

Height (cm)

PEFR (L/min)*

120

215

130

260

140

300

150

350

160

400

170

450

180

500

PEFR (L/min) = [Height (cm) - 80] x

Dr. Nisreen Manso

Obstructive Spirogram vs.

Normal

3
2
1
0

Dr. Nisreen Manso

A key of Ventilation Disorders

FEV1/FVC

Obstructive

Restrictive
Normal or

MVV
VC

N or

or normal

RV

N or

TLC

N or

Dr. Nisreen Manso

THANK U

Dr. Nisreen Manso