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L13 Introduction 042355

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27 views

L13 Introduction 042355

Uploaded by

Ben Allen
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Richard Pflanzer, Ph.D.

Biopac Student Lab® Lesson 13 Associate Professor Emeritus


PULMONARY FUNCTION II Indiana University School of Medicine
Purdue University School of Science
42 Aero Camino, Goleta, CA 93117 Introduction
William McMullen
www.biopac.com Rev. 12292017 Vice President, BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

I. Introduction
The respiratory or pulmonary system performs the important functions of supplying oxygen (O2) during inhalation,
removing carbon dioxide (CO2) during exhalation, and adjusting the acid-base balance (pH) of the body by removing acid-
forming CO2. Because oxygen is necessary for cellular metabolism, the amount of air that the pulmonary system provides is
important in setting the upper limits on work capacities or metabolism. Therefore, the measurement of lung volumes and the
rate of air movement (airflow) are important tools in assessing the health and capacities of a person.
In this lesson, you will measure:
· Forced Vital Capacity (FVC,) which is the maximal amount of air that a person can forcibly exhale after a
maximal inhalation.
· Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV,) which is the percentage of FVC that a person forcibly expels in intervals of 1,
2, and 3 seconds. (FEV1.0, FEV2.0, FEV3.0)
· Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV,) which is a pulmonary function test that combines volume and flow rates
to assess overall pulmonary ventilation.
These measurements indicate the upper limit of work that the person can do based on the capabilities of his or her respiratory
system. When a person takes in maximal inhalation and then follows this with maximal exhalation the volume of expired air
is that person’s Single Stage Vital Capacity (SSVC). The time required to achieve maximal exhalation is not a factor in
determining SSVC.
Because the lungs reside in the thoracic cavity, vital capacity is ultimately restricted by the size of a person’s thoracic cavity.
Therefore, size-related variables (e.g., age, gender, weight) affect the capacities of the respiratory system (Table 13.1).
Using the equation in Table 13.1, you can estimate the vital Table 13.1
capacity of a 19 year old female who is 167 centimeters tall
(about 5’6”) as 3.815 liters: Equations for Predicted Vital Capacity
0.041 x (167) – 0.018 x (19) – 2.69 = 3.815 liters (Kory, Hamilton, Callahan: 1960)
For adults, the average pulmonary capacities decrease with age. Male V.C. = 0.052H - 0.022A – 3.60
Women tend to have smaller volumes than men of the same Female V.C. = 0.041H - 0.018A – 2.69
age and weight. As weight increases, volumes increase, with
the exception that overweight people tend to have decreased V.C. Vital Capacity (L) H Height (cm) A Age in years
volumes.
Even within one person, respiratory supply and demand differs with activity levels and health. Accordingly, the rate and
depth of ventilation (the volume of gas you breathe in and out per minute) are not static but rather must constantly adjust to
the changing needs of the body. As you increase your activity levels from rest, the volume and rate of air flowing in and out
of your lungs also changes. The changes in volume and how fast those changes in volume (airflow) are effected can be used
to assess the health of a person’s respiratory system.
Pulmonary volumes, pulmonary capacities, and pulmonary airflow rates are often measured in diagnosing and assessing the
health of the respiratory system (Fig. 13.1).

Page I-1 ©BIOPAC Systems, Inc.


Page I-2 L13 – Pulmonary Function II ©BIOPAC Systems, Inc.

Fig. 13.1 Examples of commonly measured pulmonary volumes and capacities

In this lesson, you will perform two tests to measure pulmonary flow rates:
1. Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV)
2. Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)
Test #1: Forced Expiratory Volume (FEV)
Forced Expiratory Volume (also referred to as forced vital capacity or timed vital capacity) is a test in which a limit is placed
on the length of time a Subject has to expel vital capacity air. FEV1.0, FEV2.0, FEV3.0 are defined as the percentage of vital
capacity that can be forcibly expelled after a maximal inhalation in the period of one second, two seconds, and three seconds,
respectively (Fig. 13.2).

Fig. 13.2 Section of a record of Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1.0)
The normal adult is able, with maximal effort, to expire about 66-83% of his/her vital capacity in one second (FEV1.0,)
75-94% of vital capacity in the second second (FEV2.0,) and 78-97% of vital capacity by the end of the third second
(FEV3.0).
A person with asthma may have a normal or near-normal vital capacity as measured in a Single
Stage Vital Capacity test, which allows as long as necessary to maximally inhale and exhale.
However, when an asthmatic exhales vital capacity with maximal effort, FEV measurements are all
reduced because heavy mucus secretion and smooth muscle action reduces airway diameter and it
takes longer to completely exhale vital capacity against increased airway resistance.
©BIOPAC Systems, Inc. L13 – Pulmonary Function II Page I-3

Test #2 Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (MVV)


The Maximal Voluntary Ventilation (also known as maximal breathing capacity) measures peak performance of the lungs
and respiratory muscles. MVV is calculated as the volume of air moved through the pulmonary system in one minute while
breathing as quickly and deeply as possible (hyperventilation). In performing this test, Subject inspires and expires as deeply
and as rapidly as possible (> 1 breath/sec) while the tidal volume and the respiratory rate are measured. Because the maximal
breathing rate is difficult to maintain, Subject hyperventilates for a maximum of 15 seconds. Then, to calculate MVV, the
average volume per respiratory cycle (liters) is multiplied by the number of cycles per minute (liters/min).
MVV can also be extrapolated from the total volume of air moved in a 12-sec period (total volume in 12-sec X 5 = MVV).

Fig. 13.3 MVV example

Normal values vary with sex, age and body size. MVV is a measure of how much your pulmonary system limits your
capacity to work or exercise.
You can rarely exceed your MVV, even for brief periods of time. Therefore, MVV ultimately limits how
much oxygen is available for exercising muscles. In general, a maximum of 50% of your MVV can be
used for exercise beyond 10 minutes. Most people have trouble breathing when only using the
available 30-40% MVV. MVV tends to be reduced in both restrictive and obstructive pulmonary
diseases.

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