So you’re interested in learning more about flow volume loops obtained from a pulmonary function test (PFT). What we have here are some PFTs from my asthma pastaccompanied by a brief explanation of what you are seeing. You can consider this a brief flow volume loops 101 course for asthmatics.This is a flow volume loop. By looking at the shape of the loop a doctor can determinehow well air is moving through the air passages of your lungs. If the expiratory side of the loop is concave, this is a sign of airway (airflow) obstruction, which is indicative of either asthma or COPD.In this loop, the dotted line represents normal lung function. The solid line represents a patient with asthma before given a bronchodilator. You can see the PEFR (Peak Expiratory Flow Rate) and FVC (Forced Vital Capacity) are reduced, and the expiratoryside of the curve is concave. This is normal when expiratory flow from the airways isobstructed.(Note: Some of the following flow volume curves go in the opposite direction as the onein my example above. However, the same principle applies.)

Here is a PFT I did on January 16, 1985, seven days after I was admitted to NationalJewish Hospital/ National Asthma Center (Now called National Jewish Health) withhigh-risk asthma. You can see my first flow volume loop shows an FEV1 of 51%, whichmeans my lung function was only 51%. This is a sign that I have airflow obstruction.After I was given a breathing treatment with Alupent (Metaproterenol), my lung functionimproved. This is a sign that my airflow obstruction is reversible with appropriatetreatment. This PFT shows that I my lungs meet both criteria for diagnosing asthma:airflow

obstruction

that is

reversible

with appropriate treatment..

Here is a PFT done on me on January 27, 1985, after I was on systemic steroids for 10days. You can see my lung function greatly improved. This is a classic case of howPFTs can be used to not only monitor lung function, but also course of therapy. This PFTwas done after I had been on systemic steroids for 10 days. It shows that the currentcourse of therapy was working. It shows that my asthma responds well to systemiccorticosteroids. You’ll note here my FEV1 improved from 51% on January 16 to 111%.That’s a remarkable improvement in only 10 days.