To propose multivariate predictive models for changes in pulmonary function tests (ΔPFTs) with respect to preradiotherapy (pre-RT) values in patients undergoing RT for breast cancer and lymphoma. A prospective study was designed to measure ΔPFTs of patients undergoi...

Over the years a great deal of effort has been made to standardize all pulmonary function tests on adults. Many of the "rules" concerning the interpretation of the spirogram have been based entirely on adult observations. In the age of increasing conformity, and attempts to relate "a...

We are still at the early phase of finding useful phenotypes in COPD that can guide therapy. However, in a simple sense, "sick patients die." Many phenotypic measurements of severity correlate with mortality in COPD: FEV(1), the ratio of inspiratory capacity to total lung capacity (IC/TLC), diffusin...

Single-breath diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (D(LCO)) is a common pulmonary function test that measures the ability of the lung to exchange gas across the alveolar-capillary interface. D(LCO) testing is used to narrow the differential diagnosis of obstructive and...

Measurement of various aspects of pulmonary function is a relatively easy, noninvasive, and inexpensive way to gauge the status of the respiratory system. Interest in using these tests to determine risk from medical and surgical interventions stems from their presumed ability to be m...

All pulmonologists, including those recently completing training, should be competent in critically evaluating and interpreting pulmonary function tests (PFTs). In addition, some authorities recommend that respiratory therapists learn to provide preliminary PFT interpretations for th...

Lung function parameters vary considerably with age and body size, so that, unlike many laboratory tests, the normal range of expected values must be individualized. For spirometry, only low values are considered to be abnormal, so the lower limit of normal (LLN) is taken to be equal...

Pulmonary function testing is often considered the basis for diagnosis in many categories of pulmonary disease. Although most of the testing methodologies are well established and widely employed, there are still many questions regarding how tests should be performed, how to ensure t...

The interpretation of studies on quality of life (QoL) after lung surgery is often difficult owing to the use of multiple instruments with inconsistent scales and metrics. Although a more standardized approach would be desirable, the most appropriate instrument to be used in this set...

The primary objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether abnormal predicted postoperative variables and predicted postoperative product are useful in predicting postoperative complications. The secondary objective was to assess whether an abnormal diffusion heterogeneity index is ass...