Who performs the testing?
Two Respiratory Therapists specially trained in exercise testing will perform your test. A Pulmonologist will interpret the results and provide your physician with a report.
Indications for PFT testing
Including but not limited to:
- Evaluate breathlessness on exertion.
- Evaluate asthma symptoms that cannot be diagnosed with a methacholine challenge.
- Assess the response to therapeutic interventions
When is a test contraindicated?
Including but not limited to:
- Ventilatory impairment:
- Heart attack or stoke with in 3 months
- Known aortic or cerebral aneurysm
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Inability to perform spirometry of an acceptable quality
- Significant response to diluents, >10% fall from baseline in the FEV1.0
- Upper or lower respiratory tract infection with previous six weeks
- Current use of cholinesterase-inhibitor medication
- Pregnancy
How do I prepare?
Plan on arriving 15 minutes before your appointment for check-in. You will check in at the patient registration desk in the main lobby of the hospital.
- No heavy exercise should be done on the same day of the test.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothes. Bring shoes suitable for exercise
- Do not eat a heavy meal for 2 hours before the test.
48 hours prior to test stop all:
- Stop long-acting bronchodilators (Theophylline, Theodur, Serevent, Advair, Foradil)
- Stop anticholinergics (Combivent, Atrovent, Duoneb, Tilade, Intal)
- Anti-histamines
24 hours prior to test
- Stop Leikotriene modifiers (Singulair, Accolate, Syflo)
8 hours prior to test:
- Stop all bronchodilators (Proventil, maxair, Ventolin, Albuterol, Xopenex, Accuneb.
What do I do during testing?
During testing you will be breathing through a specialized mouthpiece and hooked up to ECG monitoring equipment. You will be asked to exercise on a bike or treadmill while being closely monitored by KRMC staff. Before and after testing your will perform spirometry testing (blowing forcefully through a mouthpiece). If necessary you may be given Albuterol to treat your respiratory symptoms. Your ability to perform and follow the testing instructions will impact the quality of your test results.
How do I get my test results?
You may receive a copy of your test results by contacting the Health Information Department: 509-946-4611, ext 2017.