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(Chest. 1960;38:152-156.)
© 1960 American College of Chest Physicians

Clinical Experience with Tests for Pulmonary Function: Review of 100 Consecutive Cases

MATTHEW B. DIVERTIE M.D.1; WARD S. FOWLER M.D.2; and H. FREDERIC HELMHOLZ JR. M.D.2

1 Section of Medicine
2 Section of Physiology

The records of 100 consecutive patients referred for tests of pulmonary function have been reviewed. The most frequent reason for referral was to obtain a quantitative assessment of pulmonary function. Diagnostic aid was sought in only 23 instances.

Obstructive ventilatory insufficiency was the commonest abnormality encountered and was observed in 61 patients having emphysema, asthmatic bronchitis, or episodic asthma alone or in varying combinations. Improvement indicated by ventilatory tests after the use of a nebulized bronchodilator drug had a definite influence on use of the drug as a therapeutic agent.

Restrictive ventilatory insufficiency due to pulmonary fibrosis was more difficult to identify clinically. Arterial hypoxemia of significant degree was frequently observed in patients in whom cyanosis had not been noted. Preoperative evaluation of pulmonary function by laboratory methods was of value in patients with greatly reduced respiratory reserve, especially when pulmonary resection was contemplated.






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Copyright © 1960 by the American College of Chest Physicians.