How to quickly interpret a Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) result?

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PFT Test का Quick Interpretation कैसे करें

PFT interpretation के लिए एक systematic, step-by-step approach अपनाएं जो FEV1/VC ratio से शुरू होकर pattern recognition तक जाती है, और हमेशा clinical context को ध्यान में रखें। 1

Step 1: पहले FEV1/VC Ratio देखें

  • FEV1/VC ratio < 5th percentile (या <0.70) = Obstructive pattern 1
  • FEV1/VC ratio normal या increased (>85-90%) = Restrictive pattern की possibility 1
  • FEV1/VC ratio normal लेकिन दोनों values कम = Poor effort या mixed pattern 1

Step 2: Pattern को Confirm करें

Obstructive Pattern में:

  • Flow-volume curve पर concave shape देखें - यह airflow obstruction का hallmark है 1
  • FEV1 proportionally ज्यादा reduced होगा VC के comparison में 1
  • TLC measurement से emphysema vs asthma differentiate कर सकते हैं (TLC increased = hyperinflation) 1

Restrictive Pattern में:

  • TLC < 5th percentile होना चाहिए restriction confirm करने के लिए 1
  • Flow-volume curve पर convex pattern दिखेगा 1
  • Critical pitfall: Reduced VC alone restriction prove नहीं करता - केवल 50% cases में TLC actually low होता है 1

Mixed Pattern में:

  • दोनों FEV1/VC और TLC < 5th percentile होने चाहिए 1
  • VC equally reduced हो सकता है obstruction और restriction दोनों में 1

Step 3: Severity Grade करें

  • FEV1 % predicted use करें severity assess करने के लिए 1
  • Mild, moderate, severe categories FEV1 पर based होती हैं 1
  • Important caveat: FEV1 symptoms के साथ poorly correlate करता है individual patients में 1

Step 4: DLCO को Evaluate करें

  • Low DLCO = parenchymal disease, emphysema, या vascular involvement 1
  • DLCO mortality का important predictor है 1
  • Hemoglobin value और altitude के लिए adjust करें 1

Step 5: Bronchodilator Response Check करें (अगर किया गया हो)

  • Significant response = FEV1 या FVC में >12% और >200 mL increase 1
  • Response की absence bronchodilator therapy के clinical benefit को rule out नहीं करती 1
  • MEF25-75% highly variable है और alone use नहीं करना चाहिए 1

Common Pitfalls से बचें

  • FEV1 और FVC दोनों कम + normal ratio = Usually poor effort है, not true restriction 1
  • Single-breath VA से TLC = Restriction prove नहीं करता, especially obstruction में (3L तक underestimate कर सकता है) 1
  • Fixed 0.7 cutoff use न करें - 5th percentile use करें elderly में over-diagnosis avoid करने के लिए 1
  • Upper airway obstruction में FEV1/PEF ratio >8 होगा - यह life-threatening हो सकता है despite "mild" FEV1 reduction 2

Special Situations

  • Flattened inspiratory loop + normal expiratory findings = Variable extrathoracic obstruction; direct laryngoscopy करें 2
  • Pneumothorax/bullae = Normal FEV1/VC + normal plethysmographic TLC लेकिन low FEV1 और VC 1
  • Flow-volume curve concave at end = Slow flow requiring longer exhalation time; slow VC measure करें 1

Clinical Context Integration करें

  • Respiratory symptoms (cough, phlegm, wheezing, dyspnea), smoking status, और recent bronchodilator use record करें 1
  • Chest X-ray, hemoglobin value, और neuromuscular disease की suspicion consider करें 1
  • Previous PFT results से compare करें - 60% tests follow-up के लिए होते हैं 3

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Diagnostic Approach to Variable Extrathoracic Upper Airway Obstruction

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

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Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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