Pulmonary Diagnostic Lab
The determination of pulmonary function and assessment of the degree of impairment present are essential components of the clinical evaluation in any patient who complains of respiratory symptoms.
Conditions suitable for referral to the Pulmonary Diagnostic Lab include:
- Presurgical evaluation
- Dyspnea on exertion
- Chronic cough
- Screening for occupational hazards
- To evaluate the treatment and progression of lung disease
For more information, please call
Office Hours: 7am - 4:30pm
Our diagnostic testing includes:
This is designed for in-patients who are unable or too unstable to transport to the lab. It includes:
- Forced expiratory volume
- Forced vital capacity with graph of expiratory flow
- Peak expiratory flows
- Maximum inspiratory pressure
- Maximum expiratory pressure
- Arterial Blood Gases
This monitors acid/base balance.
Complete Pulmonary Function Testing
This involves more detail in spirometry tracing, usually with pre and post bronchodialator testing, which will include the following.
This determines lung volume by "washing" the lungs (breathing 100% oxygen) for up to seven minutes. It determines the end-expiratory nitrogen concentration.
This test is diagnostic of restrictive lung disease, evaluation of resistence to airflow.
This test measures the resistance to diffusion of gasses across the alveolocapillary membrane. It is also known as the DLCO test.
This testing provides metabolic measurements using indirect calorimetry for determination of oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory quotient and resting energy expenditure as an aid to patient nutritional assessment and management, assessment of weaning success and outcome.
Bronchial Provocation Challenge
This measures the airway to inhaled chemical mediators acting as an irritant. It is clinically used to measure response of bronchial reactivity, either by the drugs Aridol or Methacholine and/or Exercise Induced Challenge.
Pulmonary Stress Testing
This testing provides an objective assessment of exercise and related symptoms. The test is done using the ergometer (exercise bike) and we monitor the respiratory and cardiac data while the patient exercises on the bike. The test includes:
- Dyspnea muscle weakness/leg discomfort
- Chest pain
- Identification of factors limiting exercise
- Exercise induced bronchoconstriction
- Measurement of maximal exercise capacity
- Fitness in athletes
- Prediction of post-thoracotomy complications
- Progressive values for Cystic Fibrosis patients
- Prediction of work capacity impairment
- 6 Minute Walk
Testing to determine the degree of oxygen desaturation of patient.
A test that measures a simple, accessible biomarker that can detect inflammation of airways.
Bronchial Thermoplasty for Chronic Asthma
SOMC is offering an innovative new treatment to help patients suffering from chronic asthma called Bronchial Thermoplasty. Unlike inhaled medications, it goes to the source of the problem, using heat to open up your airways.