Workshop: Blowing much and fast: flow-volume in practice

Spirometry is an essential tool for the diagnosis and follow-up of obstructive airway diseases like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Especially the flow-volume curves, assessed by pneumotachography, give much information about the cause, severity, localisation, and reversibility of obstructed airways. However, good conclusions can only be drawn if the spirometer technique is sufficient and results are reproducible.

In the workshop several aspects of  pneumothachography will be highlighted:

·          The technical background

·          Pitfalls

·          Criteria for a reliable test

·           Interpretation

·          Self exercises 

The workshop ends with a tour at the lung function department of the UMCG. Several lung function tests will be demonstrated: e.g. blood gases, CO-diffusion, Helium dilution, body box, provocation tests with histamine or metacholine, bicycle ergometer test etc. We will explain why flow-volume tests are necessary before carrying out above specialized lung function tests.