Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary Function Tests

Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs)
Pulmonary Function Tests are crucial diagnostic tools for assessing respiratory function, particularly in patients with chronic respiratory disorders. They comprehensively evaluate lung volumes, ventilatory function, breathing mechanics, diffusion, and gas exchange. These tests help diagnose pulmonary diseases and play a significant role in monitoring disease progression, evaluating disability, and assessing response to therapy.
PFTs involve using a spirometer, a...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History

Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan

Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan

Radiological investigations are paramount in the diagnosis and management of various pulmonary diseases. Two essential investigations are the Pulmonary Angiogram and the Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan.
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Pulmonary Tuberculosis IV

Tuberculosis, more commonly referred to as TB, is an infectious disease stemming from Mycobacterium tuberculosis. While it primarily impacts the lungs, TB can also affect other body areas. Given its severity and global impact, timely and accurate diagnosis is crucial for controlling its spread and improving patient outcomes.
Several diagnostic approaches are used to detect TB. The conventional method is the Tuberculin Skin Test (TST), also known as the Mantoux test. However, this method has...

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment

Pneumonia poses the potential for numerous complications that warrant consideration. These complications include the following:

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

[Diagnosis and treatment of asthma: a guideline for respiratory specialists 2023 - published by the German Respiratory Society (DGP) e. V.]

Pneumologie (Stuttgart, Germany)·2024

Same author

[Diagnosis and treatment of asthma: a guideline for respiratory specialists 2023 - published by the German Respiratory Society (DGP) e. V.]

Pneumologie (Stuttgart, Germany)·2023

Same author

Hypoxic, anemic and cardiac hypoxemia: When does tissue hypoxia begin?

Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)·2023

Same author

[Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Role of Aerosol Transmission in SARS-CoV-2 Infections].

Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany))·2022

Same author

Home oxygen for moderate hypoxaemia in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The Lancet. Respiratory medicine·2022

Same author

[Aerosol Therapy in Intensive Care Unit].

Pneumologie (Stuttgart, Germany)·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Published on: February 2, 2024

[How much pulmonary diagnostics does the family physician need?].

Peter Haidl¹, Dieter Köhler

¹Abt. Pneumologie, Beatmungs- und Schlafmedizin, Fachkrankenhaus Kloster Grafschaft, Schmallenberg. p.haidl@t-online.de

MMW Fortschritte Der Medizin

|January 29, 2010

Summary

Spirometry is crucial for diagnosing respiratory conditions in family practice but is underutilized. Early spirometry for shortness of breath or chronic cough is recommended for accurate pulmonary diagnostics.

More Related Videos

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 24, 2019

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: March 3, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Dual Test Gas Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity Measurement During Exercise in Humans Using the Single-Breath Method

Published on: February 2, 2024

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Home-Based Prescribed Pulmonary Exercise in Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: August 24, 2019

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Adults: Image Acquisition

Published on: March 3, 2023

Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Family Practice Diagnostics

Background:

Spirometry is a cornerstone of pulmonary diagnostics.
Current utilization in family practice for respiratory symptoms is suboptimal.
Diagnostic tools like medical history, auscultation, PEF, and pulse oximetry are also vital.

Purpose of the Study:

To emphasize the underutilization of spirometry in family practice.
To advocate for increased spirometry use in patients with respiratory symptoms.
To highlight the complementary roles of other diagnostic methods.

Main Methods:

Review of the role of spirometry in family practice.
Discussion of indications for spirometry in respiratory conditions.
Evaluation of adjunctive diagnostic tools: medical history, auscultation, PEF, and pulse oximetry.

Main Results:

Spirometry is underused despite its major role in diagnosing respiratory diseases.
Patients with shortness of breath or chronic cough should undergo spirometry.
Peak expiratory flow (PEF) is useful in emergencies, and pulse oximetry aids acute assessment and chronic disease follow-up.

Conclusions:

Spirometry should be performed more frequently in primary care for patients with respiratory symptoms.
A comprehensive diagnostic approach including history, auscultation, spirometry, PEF, and pulse oximetry ensures optimal patient care.
Timely and appropriate use of these tools improves the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases.