Pulmonary Function Test (PFT): Meaning, Uses & Types

Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) is a group of tests used to check how well the lungs are working. These tests help doctors understand breathing problems and diagnose lung diseases at an early stage.

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What is Pulmonary Function Test (PFT)?

A Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) measures:

• How much air the lungs can hold

• How fast air moves in and out of the lungs

• How well oxygen passes into the blood

It is a non-invasive, painless test and usually completed within 15–30 minutes.

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Why is PFT Done? (Uses of PFT)

PFT is advised for:

• Diagnosis of asthma and COPD

• Evaluating breathlessness

• Pre-surgical fitness assessment

• Monitoring lung disease progression

• Checking lung damage due to smoking or pollution

• Assessing treatment response

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Types of Pulmonary Function Tests

1. Spirometry

The most common PFT test.
Measures:

• FVC (Forced Vital Capacity)

• FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second)

• FEV1/FVC ratio

Helpful in diagnosing asthma and COPD.

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2. Lung Volume Test

Measures:

• Total Lung Capacity (TLC)

• Residual Volume (RV)

Used to identify restrictive lung diseases.

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3. Diffusion Capacity Test (DLCO)

Measures how efficiently oxygen passes from lungs into blood.
Helpful in:

• Pulmonary fibrosis

• Interstitial lung disease

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4. Bronchodilator Reversibility Test

PFT performed before and after inhaler use.
Helps differentiate asthma from COPD.

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Conclusion 

Pulmonary Function Tests are essential tools for understanding lung health. Different types of PFT help doctors diagnose and manage various respiratory conditions effectively.