Scarring and inflammation can cause the air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) to become thicker than normal. Sometimes these changes can raise the pressure in the blood vessels between the lungs and the heart. This is called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), a serious condition that can cause breathlessness and chest pain and can lead to heart failure. PAH is rare, but more common in people with scleroderma than in the general population; early identification and treatment can slow its progression.

What is it?

A lung function test aims to assess how well your lungs are working, mainly by testing your breathing.

How are the tests carried out?

Forced spirometry, or the pulmonary function test (PFT), is a non-invasive test that gives your doctor information about:

• the functional capacity of the lungs
• the processes of breathing in and breathing out
• the amount of air that passes through the lungs during a normal breathing cycle
• the distribution of oxygen in the lungs

The test carries no risk for the patient. No preparation is needed beforehand. The whole test takes about 10–15 minutes.

One of the main measurements in spirometry is the forced vital capacity (FVC), which is the largest total amount of air the patient can breathe out forcefully after the deepest possible breath in. If the patient’s FVC is lower than normal, there is a problem that is restricting breathing. Another important measurement in spirometry is the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). This is the amount of air the patient can breathe out of their lungs in one second. The measurement can help assess how severe the patient’s breathing problems are. An FEV1 reading lower than normal shows that breathing may be significantly obstructed.

Your doctor will also measure the “lung transfer capacity for carbon monoxide” (TLCO), which decreases if there is significant scarring in the lungs or if the blood vessels in the lungs are affected. A yearly measurement can tell your doctor whether your disease is stable or getting worse.

What do the results mean?

Even if you have no symptoms, it is important to have your lung function checked every year. If you notice any changes, such as a cough or breathlessness, tell your doctor, who can carry out an earlier assessment.

https://www.puls.bg/aktualno-c-6/spirometriia-funktsionalno-izsledvane-na-belite-drobove-n-38602 https://inspiro-bg.com/tlco-i-kco-v-prizraka-i-mraka-na-funktsionalnata-diagnostika/

This English version is a translation; in case of doubt, the Bulgarian version applies.