1. VT
2. FEV1
3. FVC
4. Response to bronchodilator tx
Diagnose restrictive and obstructive patterns, disease severity and progression
Pulmonary PFT
Sterile fluid syringed down airway then suctioned out; obtains lung tissue cells/fluid from lower respiratory tract, for biopsy dx
Bronchioalveolar lavage
Wedge shaped sections of abnormal/cancerous lung tissue excised
- Used to excise blebs (air) or can rupture and infect pleural space = empyema (pus) need removed too
Wedge resection
Test that is an axial view
- X-ray images using computer to take 360 degrees cross-sectional views using low-dose radiation.
- contrast dye can be given to enhance image details
- great for seeing bone, calcium, CA; vascular and pleural changes
- con: radiation; contrast use
CT or CAT scan ***
Sensitive but non specific blood test for coagulopathy (EX: PE)
- Provides a number, corretion to probability range
D-dimer
- Visualize (via invasive scope) larynx, trachea, large bronchi and small bronchioles (flexible scope)
- Examine airway, tissue a/o respiratory fluid abnormalities
- Diagnose - EX: biopsy
- Intervention: remove foreign tissue or secretions; instill medication
Bronchoscopy
- Specific blood test to determine adequacy of ventilation and respiration
- Calculates arterial partial pressure of O2 and CO2, peripheral O2 saturation, total CO2 content (bicarbonate and carbonic acid), and systemic pH level
- Indicates respiratory and metabolic acid-base imbalances
- PaO2 levels indicate how well oxygen is moving [diffusion] from the lungs into the bloodstream
Arterial blood gas (ABG)
Small sacs of air in/on lung tissue that can rupture, cause air to leak into the pleural space
- increase risk of pneumothorax and infection (empyema)
Blebs
T/F: Xrays are able to pick up the lymphatic system
FALSE.. cannot get to the lymphatic system
Which PE - diagnostic tests are the least expensive and often 1st choice tests?
1. D-dimer
2. V/Q scan
Tap/drain excessive fluid or blood from pleural space
- Used to Rx large or reoccurring pneumothorax and pleural effusion
Thoracentesis
Caustic agent (usually talc) introduced to pleural sac to produce inflammatory reaction in order to seal the visceral and pleural linings of lung
- Used to Rx large or reoccurring pneumothorax and pleural effusion; typically done via V.A.T.S
(Like putting acid in the pleural sac to burn them, causing inflammatory reaction to make scaffolding between the lung and sac so it wont keep collapsing)
Pleurodesis
- Removal of numerous small wedges of damaged lung tissue that add to overall dead space
- PT implication: VATS or open thoracotomy
- Contraindicated if patients FEV1 < 20%
- Possible alternative for treatment to lung transplantation for selected individuals in end-stage COPD (emphysema) and ILD
- controversial Rx with limited outcomes
Lung-volume reduction surgery
Test in sagittal plane
- can tell where exactly down the bronchi there is something abnormal
Chest CT with 3-D bronchial association
Uses radioactive gas to display air distribution compared to scanned blood flow through lungs; degree of V/Q mismatch determines probability of diagnose PE
Ventilation/Perfusion scan (V/Q scan)
- Tough to detect in time to stage, let alone to treat
- Tumors not usually detected with traditional imaging because it can be behind the lungs
Lung cancer
A test that projects a flat image through the body, displaying 2-D densities
- Good for pneumonia, and clearing patient for surgery
X-ray ***
Test that is magnetic and radio waves create an image of the body, viewed in the 3 major planes without using radiation
- great for soft tissue and vessels (water-filled structures)
- con: certain metal implants (TITANIUM IS SAFE!!!)
- most expensive
MRI ***
Test for arterial system using dye
- Avoid contrast with renal disease because it is hard to excrete from the body
Chest CT angiogram
U/S guided catheter for dx and rx (thrombolytic med)
EkoSonic Endovascular technology (EKOS)
Radiographic image to study size, shape and location of anatomical structures and anomalies (fluid accumulation, tumors, consolidations and translucencies)
Chest X-ray
Chest computerized tomography (CT)
Offers 3D to detect small masses - spin continuously with lower radiation than traditional CTs
Spiral CT
Nuclear study to detect moderate to large lesions or study cancerous growth progression; also used for metabolic changes in brain
Positron emission tomography (PET scan)
IV contrast mapping arterial route; definitive test for PE but chest CT is gold standard ***
CT angiogram