Peak Flow | Pulmonary function test

Peak Flow

Peak flow pulmonary function testing is less meaningful, but has the advantage that it can be performed by the patient himself. All the patient has to do is put his lips around the Peak Flow device, inhale and exhale as much as possible. The determined value is then read off in l/min either digitally or with a pointer.

It depends on the age, sex and height of the patient. The peak flow is used to determine the force with which the patient can exhale. It is very useful for chronic lung patients such as asthmatics because they can quickly detect changes in their lung function.

For many, a diary is recommended in which the peak flow value is entered once or several times a day. Spiroergometry is the most complex lung function test. It not only provides information about mechanical breathing, but also about heart function, blood circulation, gas exchange in the lungs and muscle metabolism.

While normal spirometry only measures the volume of air breathed in the lungs, the physician also measures the concentration of the two respiratory gases oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2).This examination is performed on a treadmill or bicycle ergometer. Because the patient moves a lot, he is not only given a mouthpiece but also wears a tightly fitting breathing mask. Electrodes are also applied for an ECG.

The patient must then move on the treadmill or ergometer with varying intensity and, if necessary, blood is taken from the ear in between to determine the lactate value. Spiroergometry plays an important role for various specialist areas. In sports medicine, the doctor can examine the patient’s performance and endurance.

For the cardiologist, it provides information about a possible functional impairment of the heart. Pulmonary specialists use spiroergometry above all when respiratory distress or breathing difficulties are performance-related, i.e. the patient only has problems when he or she has to breathe hard. The great advantage of spiroergometry compared to spirometry is also that it can be used to find out whether the breathing mechanism is disturbed (i.e. simply not enough air gets into the lungs) or whether the gas exchange is not functioning properly (i.e. there is enough air but the oxygen in it cannot be properly absorbed or the carbon dioxide cannot be properly released).