Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Characterization and interpretation of forced expiration

Annals of Biomedical Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Forced expiration is the most widely used test for assessing pulmonary mechanics in man. For clinical purposes, results can be described in terms of the forced vital capacity (FVC) and the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1). In order to provide a more complete description of forced expiration, additional parameters have been applied, e.g., flows at various lung volumes (flow volume loops) and the distribution of transit times during lung emptying (moments).

In an ongoing epidemiological study we found that age, sex, smoking, socioeconomic status, ABH secretor status, protease inhibitor type, and familial COPD contribute to airways obstruction. We also found that characteristic patterns of obstruction provide insight into risk factors and the pathophysiology of disease.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price includes VAT (France)

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Bates, D.V., P.T. Macklem, and R.V. Christie.Respiratory Function in Disease. An introduction to the Integrated Study of Lung. 2nd Ed., Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1971.

    Google Scholar 

  2. Britt, J.E., B. Cohen, H. Menkes, E. Bleecker, S. Permutt, R. Rosenthal and P. Norman. Airways reactivity and functional deterioration in relatives of COPD patients.Chest, 77S:260–261, 1980.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Cohen, B.H., W.C. Ball, Jr., S. Brashears, E. Diamond, P. Kreiss, D. Levy, H. Menkes, S. Permutt, and M.S. Tockman. Risk factors in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Am. J. Epidemiol. 105:223–232, 1977.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Dosman, J., F. Bode, J. Urbanetti, R. Martin and P.T. Macklem. The use of helium-oxygen mixture during maximal expiratory flow to demonstrate obstruction in small airways in smokers.J. Clin. Invest. 55:1090, 1975.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Enjeti, S., B. Hazelwood, S. Permutt, H. Menkes, and P. Terry. Pulmonary function in young smokers: Male-female differences.Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 118:667–676, 1978.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Feldstein, M.S. A binary variable multiple regression method of analyzing factors affecting peri-natal mortality and other outcomes of pregnancy.J.R. Stat. Soc., Series A, 129:61–73, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Fowler, W.S., E.R. Cornish, and S.S. Keting, Lung function studies VIII. Analysis of alveolar ventilation by pulmonary N2 clearance curves.J. Clin. Invest. 31:40–50, 1952.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Gardner, R.M., et al.: American Thoracic Society Statement-Snowbird Workshop on Standardization of Spirometry.Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 119:831–838, 1979.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Green, M., J. Mead, and J. Turner. Variability of maximum expiratory flow-volume curves.J. Appl. Physiol. 37(1):67–74, 1974.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Ligas, J.R., F.P. Primiano, Jr., G.M. Saidel, and C.F. Doershuk. Comparison of measures of forced expiration.J. Appl. Physiol: Respir. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 42(4):607–613, 1977.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. McFadden, E.R., Jr. and D.A. Linden. A reduction in maximum midexpiratory flow rate: A spirographic manifestation of small airway disease.Am. J. Med. 52:725–739, 1972.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Macfie, A.E., E.A. Harris, and R.M.L. Whitlock. Transit-time analysis of the forced spirogram in healthy children and adults.J. Appl. Physiol.: Respir. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 46(2):263–267, 1979.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Macklem, P.T. Obstruction in small airways—A challenge to medicine.Am. J. Med. 52:721, 1972.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Macklem, P.T. and J. Mead. Resistance of central and peripheral airways as measured by a retrograde catheter.J. Appl. Physiol. 22:395, 1967.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Mead, J. Analysis of the configuration of maximum expiratory flow-volume curves.J. Appl. Physiol. 44(2):156–165, 1978.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Mead, J., J.M. Turner, P.T. Macklem, and J.B. Little. Significance of the relationship between lung recoil and maximum expiratory flow.J. Appl. Physiol. 22:95–108, 1967.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Miller, R.D. and R.E. Hyatt. Evaluation of obstructing lesions of the trachea and larynx by flow volume loops.Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 108:475, 1973.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Morris, J.F., A. Koshi, L.C. Johnson. Spirometric standards for healthy nonsmoking adults.Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 103:57–67, 1971.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Neuberger, N., H. Levison, A.C. Bryan, and K. Kruger. Transit time analysis of the forced expiratory spirogram in growth.J. Appl. Physiol. 40(3):329–332, 1976.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Permutt, S., and H. Menkes. Spirometry: analysis of forced expiration within the time domain. In:The Lung in the Transition Between Health and Disease, edited by P.T. Macklem and S. Permutt. New York: Marcel-Dekker, 1979, pp. 113–152.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Peslin, R., S. Dawson, and J. Mead. Analysis of multicomponent exponential curves by the Post-Widder's equation.J. Appl. Physiol. 30(4):462–472, 1971.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Pride, N.B., S. Permutt, R.L. Riley, and B. Bromberger-Barnea. Determinants of maximum expiratory flow from the lungs.J. Appl. Physiol. 25:139, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Webster, P.M., N. Zamel, A. Bryan, and K. Kruger. Volume dependence of instantaneous time constants derived from the maximal expiratory flow-volume curve.Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 115: 805–1810, 1977.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Division of Environmental Physiology, The Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health, 615 North Wolfe Street, 21205, Baltimore, Maryland

    Harold Menkes, Bernice Cohen, Solbert Permutt, Terri Beatty & J. Shelhamer

Authors
  1. Harold Menkes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bernice Cohen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Solbert Permutt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Terri Beatty
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. J. Shelhamer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Supported by NIH-HL 14153 and HL 00461

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Menkes, H., Cohen, B., Permutt, S. et al. Characterization and interpretation of forced expiration. Ann Biomed Eng 9, 501–511 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364767

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02364767

Keywords

Search

Navigation