The Role of Pulmonary Function Testing in the Diagnosis and Management of COPD.

Pulmonary function testing (PFT) has a long and rich history in the definition, diagnosis, and management of COPD. For decades, spirometry has been regarded as the standard for diagnosing COPD; however, numerous studies have shown that COPD symptoms, pathology, and associated poor outcomes can occur, despite normal spirometry. Diffusing capacity and imaging studies have called into question the need for spirometry to put the "O" (obstruction) in COPD.

Real-world diffusing capacity simulation data: how well do they fit current European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society acceptability criteria?

https://bit.ly/3Z0YoZL.

Validation of the clinical utility of sGaw as a response variable in methacholine challenge testing.

Background And Objective: Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) is commonly assessed by a methacholine challenge test (MCT), during which a provocative concentration causing a 20% reduction in forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV ) (PC ) < 8 mg/ml is considered a positive response. However, a fall in specific airway conductance (sGaw) may also have clinical significance. The purpose of this study was to assess whether AHR determined by a provocative concentration causing a 40% reduction in sGaw (PC ) < 8 mg/ml corresponds to a clinical diagnosis of asthma.

Use of neurally adjusted ventilatory assist (NAVA) in a patient with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia: A case report.

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia may necessitate intubation and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Early in the course of mechanical ventilation neuromuscular blocking agents may be used to allow synchronous lung protective ventilation. However, patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia tend to have an intense respiratory drive resulting in patient-ventilator asynchrony when neuromuscular blocking agents are discontinued.

Verification of Assayed Blood Gas Quality Control Ranges.

Background: Blood gas quality control (QC) is an essential and mandatory part of a laboratory's quality plan. The acceptable QC range should be 2 SD from the mean value. The use of assayed QC material does not negate the responsibility of the laboratory to calculate the mean and 2 SD ranges of QC measurements for verification.

Weight-based reference equations for the 6-min walk test can be misleading in obese patients.

https://bit.ly/2wE9Sdn.

Pulmonary Function Reference Equations: A Brief History to Explain All the Confusion.

Predicted values for pulmonary function tests differ significantly from the reference values used for many other diagnostic tests. Historically, simple equations using age, height, and sex were used to "predict" normal lung function. However, these multiple factors interact in complex ways to determine what the expected lung function values are in healthy subjects.

Should spirometer quality control be treated like other laboratory devices?

http://ow.ly/Pqdq30nwAmb.

Basic spirometry testing and interpretation for the primary care provider.

Spirometry testing plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of COPD and asthma in the primary care setting. Verifying the accuracy of the spirometer, using accurate patient demographics and appropriate reference equations, and ensuring the competency of testing personnel are key components of spirometry test interpretation. Spirometry testing plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of lung disease in the primary care setting.

The Impact of Using Non-Birth Sex on the Interpretation of Spirometry Data in Subjects With Air-Flow Obstruction.

Background: Sex is an important determinant of lung capacity and function. This study examined the impact of using non-birth sex on the interpretation of spirometry data in transgender subjects with air-flow obstruction.

Methods: This study was a retrospective analysis of anonymous spirometry data.

Randomized controlled trial of cryoanalgesia (ice bag) to reduce pain associated with arterial puncture.

Background: Arterial puncture can be a painful procedure for many patients. This study investigates whether precooling of a puncture site with ice can reduce the pain associated with arterial puncture.

Methods: This was a stratified randomized controlled trial of a convenience sample of out-patients with a physician order for an arterial blood gas (ABG) test.

Respiratory care year in review 2013: neonatal respiratory care, pulmonary function testing, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Respiratory care practice includes neonatal respiratory care, pulmonary function testing, and pulmonary rehabilitation. The purpose of this paper is to review the recent literature related to these topics in a manner that is most likely to have interest to the readers of Respiratory Care.

Pulmonary function test quality in the elderly: a comparison with younger adults.

Background: Elderly patients may be at greater risk for misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment as a consequence of pulmonary function test underutilization and tests being conducted with low quality expectations. This study sought to determine if elderly patients are able to achieve both spirometry and diffusion capacity (DLCO) quality scores comparable to a younger adult population.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of pulmonary function data over a 22 month period.