Evaluating How Post-Bronchodilator Vital Capacities Affect the Diagnosis of Obstruction in Pulmonary Function Tests.

Background: Although the ratio of FEV to the vital capacity (VC) is universally accepted as the cornerstone of pulmonary function test (PFT) interpretation, FVC remains in common use. We sought to determine what the differences in PFT interpretation were when the largest measured vital capacity (VC) was used instead of the FVC.

Methods: We included 12,238 consecutive PFTs obtained for routine clinical care.

Comparison of NHANES III and ERS/GLI 12 for airway obstruction classification and severity.

The diagnosis and severity categorisation of obstructive lung disease is determined using reference values. The American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society in 2005 recommended the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III spirometry prediction equations for patients in USA aged 8-80 years. The Global Lung Initiative 2012 (GLI 12) provided spirometry prediction equations for patients aged 3-95 years.

Standardizing Predicted Body Weight Equations for Mechanical Ventilation Tidal Volume Settings.

Background: Recent recommendations for lung protective mechanical ventilation include a tidal volume target of 6 mL/kg predicted body weight (PBW). Different PBW equations might introduce important differences in tidal volumes delivered to research subjects and patients.

Methods: PBW equations use height, age, and sex as input variables.

Spirometric reference values for Malagasy adults aged 18-73 years.

The American Thoracic Society (ATS) and European Respiratory Society (ERS) recommend that spirometry prediction equations be derived from samples of similar race/ethnicity. Malagasy prediction equations do not exist. The objectives of this study were to establish prediction equations for healthy Malagasy adults, and then compare Malagasy measurements with published prediction equations.