Pulmonary function testing (PFTs) are a group of diagnostic tests that measure how well your lungs take in and release air and how efficiently they transfer oxygen into the blood. These tests help diagnose various lung conditions, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and pulmonary fibrosis, while also evaluating treatment effectiveness and monitoring disease progression.
Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs) & Spirometry
Bronchoscopy is a medical procedure that allows doctors to examine the airways (bronchi) and lungs using a thin, flexible tube called a bronchoscope. This instrument has a light and camera at its tip, enabling detailed visualization of the respiratory tract.
Thoracentesis is a procedure that involves inserting a needle through the chest wall to remove fluid from the space between the lungs and chest wall (pleural space). This minimally invasive procedure is performed to diagnose and treat conditions like pleural effusions, infections, or malignancies.
Chest tubes are flexible plastic tubes inserted through the chest wall into the pleural space to drain air, blood, or fluid, helping to re-expand the lung and improve breathing. They are commonly used in conditions such as pneumothorax, hemothorax, pleural effusion, and after chest surgery to prevent fluid or air accumulation around the lungs.
The Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is a simple, practical clinical test that measures the distance a patient can walk on a flat, hard surface in six minutes. It evaluates functional exercise capacity and is widely used to assess patients with cardiopulmonary conditions, including COPD, pulmonary hypertension, heart failure, and interstitial lung disease.
The test requires minimal equipment: a measured course (typically a hallway), stopwatch, pulse oximeter, and blood pressure monitor. During the test, patients are instructed to walk as far as possible in six minutes while monitoring is performed.