Cosmed Quark PFT, Manual

Page: 63 / 148

Chapter 6 - Spirometry - 63
Forced Vital Capacity (pre)
FVC is a reference test to verify obstructive (airflow limitations) and restrictive
disorders (lung volume limitations). To achieve good test results it is fundamental a
good manoeuvre (quality control messages, real time plots …)
The main parameters measured during FVC tests are:
FVC
Forced Vital Capacity
FEV1 Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second
FEV1/FVC% FEV1 as a percentage of FVC
PEF Peak Expiratory Flow
FEF25-75% Forced mid-Expiratory Flow
The two representative plots are the Flow/Volume and Volume/Time loops.
By comparing FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC% values the software allows an automatic
interpretation concerning the levels of obstructive and/or restrictive disorders.
Recommendations
•
The flowmeter has to be disconnected from the breathing valve
•
The patient should wear the nose clips
•
The turbine has been recently calibrated (ATS recommends a daily calibration)
•
The paper mouthpiece or the antibacterial filter is properly connected to the
flowmeter through the corresponding adapter
For hygienic reasons, we strongly recommend the use of a bacterial filter.
If a kid must perform the test it is recommended to enable the encouragement function
which shows exactly the manoeuvre of the FVC test.
Perform a FVC (pre) test
1. Select Forced Vital Capacity pre from the Test menu and wait for the green led is
prompted on the right side of the screen.
2. Explain the manoeuvre to the patient and press the F2 key.
3. Wait some seconds and perform the test.
4. After having performed the test, press
F3 or wait for the automatic end (5 seconds
without flow), so that the software displays the F/V and V/t graphs, the main
parameters, and the predicteds values.
5. In order to visualise the F/V and V/t graph and the main parameters press the
following buttons:
view Flow Volume graph
view Volume Time graph
view data of the test
6. Press Alt+F3 to stop the acquisition discarding the results.
7. Repeat the test until it is correctly performed (ATS recommends 3 times).
8. Press
Exit to visualise the test list carried out during current session together with
the results of the main parameters.
9. Select the test that you want to save (the Best Test according to the ATS criteria is
highlighted as default) and press OK.
Test encouragement
During FVC manoeuvre you might experience some lack of collaboration with kids or
with other patients. In this case you may find a good help in using the encouragement
software tool.