A pocked-sized turbine flowmeter and spirometer device, integrated with an electronic diary card (EDC-spirometer, Micro Medical, U.K.), was tested with a mechanical calibrator, in an outpatient clinic and in the home situation. A screen pneumotachometer was used as flow and volume reference. Ten devices were tested; interdevice variability was small with a mean variation coefficient of 1.1% for...

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is still associated with frequent development of postoperative pulmonary complications, which are particularly concerning given its link to increased patient morbidity and mortality and resource utilization. Aim of the Work: The aim of this study was to compare between the effects of two inpatient respiratory retraining techniques post coronary ar...

Spirometers were designed and used originally for the measurement of metabolic rate or such respiratory constants as vital capacity. Such measurements are made at low rates of respiration (up to about 40 breaths per minute) or with single inspiratory or expiratory efforts. There has been no reason to suspect the accuracy of records made under these conditions. Since Hermannsen (1933) first desc...

BACKGROUND A new portable spirometer, the Spirophone, has been developed that records a subject's blow and can then transmit all the data by telephone to a receiving centre for analysis and comment. Tests of this device were undertaken to determine its accuracy and reliability. METHODS The performance of the Spirophone was tested using computer generated wave forms, by delivering blows from c...

BACKGROUND Clinical practice guidelines recommend daily spirometer calibration checks and weekly linearity checks. The long-term stability of the volume and flow accuracy of a specific model of spirometer should be carefully characterized before modification of the frequency of calibration checks is considered for that model of spirometer. METHODS The EasyOne ultrasonic flow-sensing spiromete...

Very few quantitative observations have been reported on the effect of rate of breathing on the voluntary maximum breathing capacity (M.B.C.). Proctor and Hardy (1949) found that the M.B.C. was achieved at a rate of 30 respirations per minute (R.P.M.). At higher rates of breathing the ventilatory capacity was diminished. These observations are contrary to the findings of other investigators who...