Spirometry
Overview
Classical spirometry is an examination method for non ventilated patients with forced expiration and inspiration. It is a timed measurement of dynamic lung volumes and capacities to determine how effectively and quickly the lungs can be emptied and filled, see [Pierce2005].Details
Spirometry is applied to determine e.g., the oxygen consumption or the level of airway obstruction and to quantify its severity.Commonly determined spirometric quantities are:
-the vital capacity, either forced (FVC) and/or unforced (VC)
-forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
-the ratio of these two volumes (FEV1/FVC)
-the maximum expiratory flow over the middle 50% of the vital capacity (FEF 25– 75%) (a sensitive index of small airway functions)
-the corresponding maximal inspiratory flow measures are the FIV1 and the FIVC