PFT's - FEV1 vs FVC

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anonymous

New member
My docs have always said FEV1 was the best indicator of lung infection. They really don't pay attention to FVC. Yet the new transplant allocation score only uses FVC. Any insight?

What does your cf or TX doctor pay attention to?

When you say my PFT's are __% are you referring to FEV1 or FVC?

Jason 30 w/cf
 
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anonymous

New member
Mt CF doc pays attention to both, but thinks the FEV's are more useful in helping to determine your health status. So....my FEV's are 58%....per reading taken this morning.

I am also participating in a study that measures both values. I take a reading 3 times a day. It's interesting to watch the values. My values are typically highest mid-day, and suck in the evenings right before I go to bed. I have noticed that the FEV % can be the same, the FVC value swings alot. I'm not sure what that means though.

Amy
36 w/CF
 
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anonymous

New member
when people say my pfts are __%, they are referring to FEV1. that is unusual about the transplant thing, i am not involved with that so i do not know for sure, but my guess would be because the FEV1 is actually the amount of breath you blow out in the first second, while the FVC is your total air taken in and out....which would probably be more relevant to transplant...?

my FEV1 and FVC drop and rise at about almost the same exact rate...that is an interesting point though....what makes some people's change equally while others dont?

for example, both my FEV1 and FVC dropped 6 numbers last visit...and usually rise equally, though they are NOT equal numbers.
 
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anonymous

New member
A doctor told me FVCs can be misleading b/c lots of CFers get hyperinflated lungs and higher volumes. Don't know if it's true. Most of us have seen the "barrel chested" effect in clinic if not on ourselves.
 
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luke

Guest
interesting your doc will tell you that. The "fibrosis" causes a restrictive lung component that causes a decrease in lung volume. I have never seen a "sick" CF patient with a FVC greater than normal. I have seen many patients with other obstructive diseases such as emphysema but never CF. Is your doctor a pulmonologist?


luke
 
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anonymous

New member
Here in canada usually your FEV1 has to be 30% or lower to be assesed for xplant but they take all the test into consideration and the disease you have for transplant. They also do xraya, scans, blood work, 6 min walk, EKG, heart lung tests etc.

Ive been listed since July of /04 for lung and liver due to CF but my FEV1 was a little higher but I had other issues. It depends on the center really.
 
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anonymous

New member
My daughter has CF and asthma. Her CF doc watches both the FEV1 and FVC. States the FVC is important in determining if an exacerbation (drop on FEV1) is caused by her "restrictive" problems (i.e. CF) or related to "obstruction" (the asthma component). This helps determine her course of treatment and the FVC is also a predictor of whether or not we will be able to get her FEV1 back up following pulmonary exacerbation.
 
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anonymous

New member
<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Anonymous</b></i><br>Here in canada usually your FEV1 has to be 30% or lower to be assesed for xplant but they take all the test into consideration and the disease you have for transplant. They also do xraya, scans, blood work, 6 min walk, EKG, heart lung tests etc.



Ive been listed since July of /04 for lung and liver due to CF but my FEV1 was a little higher but I had other issues. It depends on the center really.<hr></blockquote>
 
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anonymous

New member
<blockquote>Quote<br><hr><i>Originally posted by: <b>Anonymous</b></i><br>Here in canada usually your FEV1 has to be 30% or lower to be assesed for xplant but they take all the test into consideration and the disease you have for transplant. They also do xraya, scans, blood work, 6 min walk, EKG, heart lung tests etc.



Ive been listed since July of /04 for lung and liver due to CF but my FEV1 was a little higher but I had other issues. It depends on the center really.<hr></blockquote>

Hey

Where are you in Canada? I am in New Brunswick, Fredericton. Are you on the list for lunga and a liver? How old are you? I have liver problems but I don't know how bad it is I take Ursoldiol 5 times a day. How long have you ha problems with your liver?
I would like to talk to you about it if you don't mind. You can e-mail me at lindseythompson@hotmail.com

Lindsey T-21 w/cf and cfrd
 
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wuffles

New member
We go by my FEV1. My FVC is always about 10% lower than my FEV1, but that never seems to get a mention <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">
 
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anonymous

New member
My daughter's FVC is always alot higher than her FEV1 - doctor states this shows obstruction (asthma) rather than restriction (CF).
 
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