Lung Assessment Tests

What are Pulmonary Function Tests?

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFT’s) are breathing tests to find out how well you move air in and out of your lungs and how well oxygen enters your body.

The most common PFT’s are Spirometry, Body Plethysmography and Diffusion Studies. Sometimes only one test is done, other times all tests will be scheduled, often on the same day.

Purpose of Pulmonary Function Tests

Lung Function Tests can be used to:

• Compare your lung function with known standards that show how well your lungs should be working.
• Measure the effect of chronic diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), or cystic fibrosis on lung function.
• Identify early changes in lung function that might show a need for a change in treatment.
• Detect narrowing in the airways.
• Decide if a medicine (such as a bronchodilator) could be helpful to use.
• Show whether exposure to substances in your home or workplace have harmed your lungs.
• Determine your ability to tolerate surgery and medical procedures.

To improve the accuracy of the test:

• Do not smoke for at least 24 hours before the test.
• Do not drink alcohol for at least 4 hours before the test.
• Do not exercise heavily for at least 30 minutes before the test.
• Do not wear tight clothing that makes it difficult for you to take a deep breath.
• Do not eat a large meal within 2 hours before the test.
• Ask your health care provider if there are any medicines that you should not take on the day of your test.

The following medication(s) must be stopped at the times indicated prior to testing:

1. Short acting beta 2 agonist (bronchodilators) => to be stopped 4 hours before test
   - Salbutamol (Ventolin, Asthalin, Albuterol); Fenoterol (Berotec)
2. Long acting beta 2 agonist (LABA) => to be stopped 12 hours before test
   - Salmeterol (Serevent); Formoterol Fumarate (Foradil)
   - Salmeterol & Fluticasone (Advair / Seretide); Formeterol & Budesonide (Symbicort).
3. Ultra LABA => to be stopped 24 hours before test
   - Vilanterol & Fluticasone Furoate (Relvar Ellipta / Breo Ellipta)
4. Short acting anticholinergics (bronchodilators) => to be stopped 6 hours prior to test
   - Ipratropium Bromide (Atrovent, Ipravent).
5. Long acting anticholinergics (bronchodilators)=> to be stopped 24 hours prior to test
   - Tiotropium Bromide (Spiriva) and Umeclidinium
6. Combination Inhalers => to be stopped 24 hours prior to test
   - Umeclidinium & Vilanterol (Anoro Ellipta); Umeclidinium, Vilanterol & Fluticasone Furoate (Trelegy)
7. Theophylline twice daily and once daily (Nuelin) => to be stopped 24 hours prior to test.
8. Montelukast (Singulair) => to be stopped 24 hours prior to test

Please note if you feel unwell off your medication you should use them but inform the person conducting the test.