Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine

Pulmonary Functions Laboratory and Physiology

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Spirometry

Pulmonary Profiles

Methacholine Challenge

Diffusion Capacity

Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures

High Altitude Simulation Testing

Arterial Blood Gases/Shunt Studies

Basic Metabolic Rates

Simple Exercise Study

Complex Exercise Testing

Spirometry

This is the most basic breathing test and often the first study your doctor will obtain for diagnosis and management of many lung disorders. During this non-invasive test, you will inhale deeply and then exhale with all possible force through a measuring device. The technologist may perform several trials to ensure accuracy. The technologist may administer an inhaled medication (bronchodilator) to assess your immediate response.

Our Pulmonary Functions Laboratory meets all OSHA and NIOSH standards for Occupational Screening Spirometry. Onsite occupational screening is available.

Pulmonary Profiles (Static Lung Volumes)

This test validates spirometry results in the more complicated diagnostic situations.

Methacholine Challenge

Also referred to as an exercise challenge, this study demonstrates an asthmatic tendency when the physician strongly suspects the condition but a simple spirometry is non-diagnostic. This test is only administered after evaluation by our Scott & White physician. In the case of suspected exercise-induced asthma, a treadmill protocol is employed instead.

Diffusion Capacity

Rather than measuring your ability to inhale or exhale air from your lungs, this test measures the capacity of your lungs to transfer oxygen from the air into the blood stream. It is often performed complementary to spirometry for both diagnosis and management of lung disease.

Inspiratory and Expiratory Pressures

This study measures the strength of the diaphragm and other muscles which aid in inhalation and exhalation. Your physician will order this test when neurologic or muscular disorders are the cause of shortness of breath.

High Altitude Simulation Testing

If you are faced with the uncertainty of your ability to tolerate significant change in altitude (usually above 6,000 feet), your physician will order this study. It takes place while you are at rest and during exercise; both help determine your ability to tolerate significant altitude change. This study also helps determine your specific requirement for oxygen at high altitude so that we can make appropriate recommendations.

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Arterial Blood Gases/Shunt Studies

Although a simple optical device attached to the finger (oximetry) will reasonably estimate the oxygen level in your bloodstream, a sample taken from an artery, rather than a vein, is required for precise measurements of both oxygen and carbon dioxide. Such sampling is absolutely required with great precision for the performance of a Shunt study. The Pulmonary Functions Laboratory maintains an independent and fully accredited blood gas analyzer for more complex studies.

Basic Metabolic Rates

This study collects and analyzes exhaled air for a period of ten minutes, which allows us to measure your calories burned (metabolic rate). We use this most often to adjust special diets, such as intravenous nutrition, for patients who are seriously ill.

Simple Exercise Study

This study detects your need for oxygen, which may only be determined during exercise. We modify the intensity, duration and type of exercise according to your needs. Oximetry is employed while you exercise to monitor the oxygen level in your blood. We may perform several exercise trials to assess the effect of oxygen therapy during exercise. The six-minute walk is a modification of simple exercise testing that a physician often uses to evaluate pulmonary hypertension.

Complex Exercise Testing

This test, also known as "comprehensive cardio-pulmonary exercise testing," allows you to exercise to capacity either on a treadmill or exercise bicycle. We perform full cardiac and ventilation monitoring, as well as exhaled gas analysis, during all phases of exercise

In select cases, a small catheter is inserted in your wrist to allow for frequent sampling of arterial blood during the study.

Testing is available for non-Scott & White patients only through special arrangements with a referring physician and the medical director. In all aspects, the Pulmonary Function Laboratory meets or exceeds the recommended standards established by the American Thoracic Society.

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