COMBINATION OF SPIROGRAPHY AND PLETHYSMOGRAPHY IN FUNCTIONAL DIAGNOSIS OF OBSTRUCTIVE AIRWAY DISEASE

In a variety of obstructive airways diseases classified by clinical criteria the bronchial flow resistance during quiet breathing and during forced expiration as well as the FEV1 were measured. By comparing plethysmographic and spirographic data characteristic features are observed which can serve for a classification of obstructive ventilation disturbances by means of their main localisation along the bronchial tree. Thus, the bronchial asthma can be discriminated from obstructive pulmonary emphysema and from its complications as well as from extrathoracic narrowings of the upper airways. It is therefore recommended to use the combinations of spirographic and plethysmographic methods for a more complete evaluation of obstructive airways diseases. © 1969 Springer-Verlag.