(With or without a bronchodilator response test):

Exams:

• Spirometry
• Measurement of Lung Volumes
• Airway Resistance
• Single-Breath Carbon Monoxide Uptake in the Lung
• Maximum Respiratory Pressures
• Bronchodilator (If ordered with a bronchodilator response test)
   

Indications:

• Diagnose underlying pulmonary diseases that cause symptoms such as chest tightness, cough, and shortness of breath
• Measure the effect of disease on pulmonary function
• Assess the effectiveness of acute or chronic medication
• Differentiate among chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma
• Monitor disease progression or response to treatment
• Asses preoperative risk and response to surgical or therapeutic interventions
• Assess and quantify the degree of respiratory muscular weakness that may occur with neuromuscular diseases
• Assess health status before enrollment in strenuous physical activity programs
• Distinguish respiratory muscle weakness from obstruction as the cause of low flow rates

(With or without a bronchodilator response test)

Indications:

Evaluate lung function in very young children or those with physical limitations that prevent them from performing tests that require effort and coordination.

Indications:

Determine supplemental oxygen requirement by emulating high altitude in subjects susceptible to hypoxia during air travel or travel to high elevation.

(Requires prior consult with a pediatric pulmonologist or cardiologist)

Indications:

• Determine the cause of a cardiopulmonary limitation to exercise
• Identify abnormal cardiopulmonary responses to exercise
• Detect and evaluate coronary artery disease in patients with chest pain 
• Prescribe exercise and monitor response to exercise for training and rehabilitation 
• Asses preoperative risk and response to surgical or therapeutic interventions 
• Select patients for cardiac transplantation
• Evaluate unexplained dyspnea when initial cardiopulmonary testing is non-diagnostic 
• Determine oxygen desaturation during exercise in some patients with lung disease

(Requires prior consult with a pediatric pulmonologist or cardiologist)

• Perform pre and post-treatment comparisons in patients undergoing lung surgery or cardiopulmonary rehabilitation

• Monitor functional status and predict morbidity and mortality of patients with COPD, cystic fibrosis, heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, pulmonary hypertension, or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

• Determine oxygen desaturation during exercise in some patients with lung disease

(Requires prior consult with a pediatric pulmonologist or cardiologist)

• Assess the patients’ sensitivity to or effectiveness of acute or chronic medication or other therapeutic modalities

• Confirm or exclude a suspected diagnosis of asthma

• Screen applicants for situations where asthma would present a high safety risk (e.g., commercial diving submarine service, military, police, or firefighting work)

• Diagnose exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) in those with a history of breathlessness or wheezing during or after exercise