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Pulmonary Function Testing (PFT)

What Do Pulmonary Function Tests Determine?

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT) are performed to assess lung function and determine the degree of damage to the lungs in patients struggling with certain lung diseases. PFTs can be used for a variety of reasons, including:

• Assessing the progression of lung disease and the effectiveness of a treatment course.
• Determining the condition of a patient’s lungs prior to surgery in order to assess the risk of respiratory complications after surgery.
• Screening for the presence of a lung disease.

What to Expect During Pulmonary Function Tests

A spirometry test is performed by a technician at Family Practice of Atlanta. During the test, the patient will be asked to exhale all air and then to inhale deeply. This is followed by rapid exhalation so that all air is exhausted from the lungs. After completion of the Pulmonary Function Test your test results will be evaluated by your doctor. They can determine the severity of COPD or other lung damage. Your test results will be compared with tables of normal values that use variables such as age, gender, body size and race as a method of standardization.