PFT question?

[Scarlett81]

OK, I've been doing PFTs for what, 20 yrs now?
The FEV1 is air pushed out in the 1st second. The FVC is full volume capacity-or something close to that. And what's that 3rd number, the small airway number called again?
Is the FEV1 the number they most look at? I don't know why I keep forgetting this stuff!
I don't know if any of you pay attention to this stuff, but when you look at the printout, is the first number listed the FEV1 or the FVC? What's usually the higher number, the FEV1 or FVC? I can't remember....The last time I had em done, my #'s were 90-65-35, in that order. So, going by that, logically, would that big 90 be the FEV1 or FVC?

 

[CowTown]

Hi Christian,

I can't answer all of your questions, b/c I don't know, but I do know that the middle number is your FEV1 which is the most important tell tale of function. So, your FEV1 is 65%. I don't know what the other numbers are, but I'm sure you'll get the answers here in no time.

 

[littledebbie]

Okay, sorry to shamelessly use your thread but to add on to the question if you don't mind.....

I have a question too. I also know that FEV1 is the most important #, the one they all watch soo closely, but what i want to know is why? Why does that amount out in 1 second matter soo much? Is there some circumstance in which we would need to expel all our oygen in under 1 second or the sky will fall. Just curious, one of those things i've always known but never questioned. Please enlighten me <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

 

[ChelsAnn]

I believe the numbers that you are reporting are actually percentages. The actual FEV1 is a number (I think usually between 0 and 2) that is the amount of liters... which is then turned into a percentage of what is expected for your age, height, weight, sex, etc. Not sure about the FVC and small airways though...except that most CFers have very low percentages for their small airways since those are what gets clogged up first. Hope this helps some.

 

[anonymous]

I think Luke would probably know a lot on this topic but I will take a shot. The reason that FEV1 is so important for CFers is because it is a measure of obstructive disease. If you are getting less air out in one second then you have more blockage. The FVC is how much air your lungs can take in. This is a big number post transplant that they really concentrate on. The FEF 25-75 is the smaller airways. This is also an important number post transplant.

Margaret
Double Lung tx 11.11.04

 

[littledebbie]

What if yor FEV1 is suckola but your FVC is good?

 

[anonymous]

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.cystic-l.org/handbook/html/pft_s_explained_for_you.htm">http://www.cystic-l.org/handbo..._explained_for_you.htm</a>

 

[LisaV]

more sites

( <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://home.columbus.rr.com/allen/pft_interpretation.htmb">http://home.columbus.rr.com/al...ft_interpretation.htmb</a> )

( <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.rtmagazine.com/Articles.ASP?articleid=R0505F04">http://www.rtmagazine.com/Arti...ASP?articleid=R0505F04</a> )

( <a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/pftlab/pftests.html#Spirometry">http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org...ftests.html#Spirometry</a> )

 

[Scarlett81]

Thanks all. Gotcha.