Despite most patients being unable to perform a pulmonary function test during acute respiratory failure, pulmonary function testing may be useful with chronic respiratory failure. Chronic respiratory failure is usually due to an underlying restrictive disease, pulmonary function test findings include a decrease in FEV1 and a significant decrease in FVC with an overall increase in the FEV1/FVC ratio. It is unlikely that an obstructive lung disease would cause respiratory failure. In respiratory failure with significant cardiac function compromise, a right side cardiac catheter may be used. Catheterization is controversially used to assess those patients with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure where cardiac function is uncertain.
Respiratory failure other diagnostic studies
Farmer's lung other diagnostic studies
Respiratory failure chest x ray
Cough echocardiography or ultrasound
Diaphragmatic paralysis laboratory findings
Acute respiratory distress syndrome chest x ray
Respiratory failure laboratory findings
Farmer's lung laboratory findings