Module 4: Physiology of the Respiratory System - Airflow Obstruction: Evaluation of Reversibility. |
Airflow obstruction is evaluated by spirometry as being either reversible or not reversible.
Beta-2 agonists are the screening test for reversibility: for example, 400 micrograms salbutamol administered by MDI.
The figure on the left illustrates the change that may be observed on a F/V curve before and after bronchodilator. Administration of reversibility using bronchodilator by MDI is specific but not very sensitive. Larger dose of agents (for example, beta-2 agonist +/- anticholinergic by nebuliser) may be used; or a course of oral steroids. |
Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Health (DOH) - Modules 3 – 5: Occupational Medicine & Toxicology by Prof Rodney Ehrlich & Prof Mohamed Jeebhay is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
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