Spirometers are noninvasive diagnostic instruments for

screening and basic testing of pulmonary function. Ofering

essential diagnostic insight into the type and
extent of lung function impairment, spirometry tests
can be performed fast at fairly low cost. In the light
of an ever-increasing prevalence of airway diseases
such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, pulmonary
function instruments have become indispensable diagnostic
tools, in clinical and ofce settings, in industrial
and preventive medicine, as well as in epidemiology.
Screening of individuals at ris, basic testing of sic patients,
and treatment follow-up are ey applications of
spirometry.
!wo essential "uestions of pulmonary function testing
#$% testing& can be answered by spirometry'
(. )hat is the si*e of lung volume which can be inspired
or expired+
,. )hat is the time it taes to exhale this volume, or
what is the -ow rate during exhalation+
%low rates and resulting volumes are measured by
connecting a spirometry sensor through a mouthpiece
to the test sub.ect/s mouth. !he most common and internationally
standardi*ed test consists of an evaluation
of forced expiration after a complete inhalation, allowing
the determination of forced vital capacity #%01& and the forced expired volume during the 2rst
second
#%30(&. 4ecording of the test trace is taen as
a forced spirogram #volume over time& or as a -ow5
volume loop #-ow against volume&. 6lthough %01 and
%30( are the most common, do*ens of parameters can
be derived when evaluating forced expiration, all describing
the shape and si*e of recorded traces and loops
#%ig. 7.(&. 8esides forced spirometry, slow spirometry,
i.e., the recording of slow inspiration and expiration at
tidal breathing, may also be recorded, ofering determination
of lung-volume subdivisions such as tidal volume
#0!&, inspiratory and expiratory reserve volume #I40
and 340&, as well as inspiratory capacity #I1&. In most
cases, slow spirometry will be a part of advanced $%
tests
Total Lung Capacity
!otal lung capacity #!91& is the total volume of air in the
lungs after a maximal inspiration. It is the sum of 40 and
vital capacity #the diference in volume between maximal
inspiration and maximal expiration&. !91 may be increased
in patients with obstructive defects such as emphysema and
decreased in patients with restrictive abnormalities including
chest wall abnormalities and yphoscoliosis.
Functional Residual Capacity
%unctional residual capacity #%41& is the volume of air in
the lungs following normal expiration. $atterns of abnormal
%41 are similar to abnormalities given above for !91 and 40.Part B 8