Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs) are a series of non-invasive diagnostic tests performed to assess lung function and detect respiratory conditions. At Narayan Swaroop Hospital, PFTs are conducted by trained respiratory therapists or pulmonologists to evaluate various parameters of lung function, including lung capacity, airflow, and gas exchange efficiency.

During a PFT at Narayan Swaroop Hospital, patients breathe into a specialized machine called a spirometer, which measures different aspects of lung function. The test typically includes measurements such as:

Forced Vital Capacity (FVC): The maximum amount of air a person can exhale forcefully after taking a deep breath.
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1): The volume of air exhaled forcefully in the first second after a maximal inhalation.
FEV1/FVC Ratio: The ratio of FEV1 to FVC, which helps determine airflow obstruction.
Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF): The maximum flow rate of air during a forced exhalation.
Diffusing Capacity of the Lungs for Carbon Monoxide (DLCO): A measure of the lung's ability to transfer gases from inhaled air into the bloodstream.