The Flow-Volume Loop: Always an Inspiration!

Usefulness of the flow volume loop.

We have read with interest the article by Guntupalli et al (February 1997)l on the usefulness of the flow volume loop (FVL) in emergency and ICU settings. The selection of cases where the FVL can easily help to establish the level of flow impairment was well chosen by the authors. In emergency situations, the FVL is especially helpful in identifying certain abnormalities quickly by visual patte...

Reproducibility of the flow-volume loop.

Clinical application of the flow-volume loop.

A convenient method for recording pulmonary function which allows for rapid graphic bedside analysis was presented. The method involves recording flow-volume (‘V-V) loop, in correct alignment to a previously determined FRC. FRC was measured by a rapid nitrogen dilution method. This method of recording pulmonary function affords a composite of TLC and all subdivisions with corresponding flow whi...

The flow-volume loop in bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

A 38-year-old man with posttraumatic bilateral vocal cord paralysis and a surgically repaired avulsion of the extrathoracic trachea presented with a slight increase of exertional dyspnea (grade 2). Spirometry showed high normal FEV1 for FVC variables, but the F-V loop was characteristic for highly variable UAO with an increased FEV1/PEF ratio of 11 ml/L/min as well as a MEF50/MIF50 of 4.55. End...

Spirometry versus flow volume inspiratory and expiratory loop.

P SPIROMETRY VERSUS FLOW VOLUME INSPIRATORY AND EXPIRATORY LOOP To the Editor: I would like to comment on the excellent CME article, “Vocal Cord Dysfunction: An Update” by Leslie M. Gimenez, MD, and Heidi Zafra, MD (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2011;106:267–275). I compliment the authors on the very thorough review and analysis of the literature. I am concerned by the nomenclature they used in d...