Pulmonary Function Laboratory

CHEO’s Pulmonary Function Laboratory (PFT Lab) provides lung function testing for children 6 - 17 years of age. The testing we offer includes:

Basic lung function testing (spirometry); we can also measure response to bronchodilator
Lung volume measurement (as well as diffusing capacity of the lungs)
Specialized testing for asthma (methacholine challenge)
Exercise testing
- Exercise induced asthma test
- Cardiopulmonary exercise test (VO2max)
Measurement of the strength of the breathing muscles

What to expect

Basic lung function testing (spirometry)

For regular lung function testing, you/your child will wear nose plugs and use a mouthpiece to breathe into a computerized device. Our respiratory therapist will ask you/your child to breathe into this machine for as long and as hard as possible (up to 10 seconds). We usually take at least 3 measurements and may repeat the process after we give salbutamol (Ventolin®).

Lung volume measurement and diffusing capacity of the lungs

For lung volume measurements, you/your child will breathe quickly into a computerized device. In most cases you will be sitting in a large, clear, transparent chamber. The test takes about 20 minutes to complete. For diffusing capacity measurements, you/your child will take a big breath in and hold it for 8 seconds. Rest assured these tests do not hurt.

To see what these tests are like, watch this video.

Methacholine challenge - specialized testing for asthma

For a methacholine challenge test, the basic lung function testing will be repeated about 8 times after taking a medication called methacholine, which can temporarily cause slight asthma. This test is tiring and does cause some temporary coughing or chest tightness. Salbutamol (Ventolin®) is given at the end of the test to reverse any symptoms.

Exercise testing

For exercise tests, you/your child will exercise on an exercise bike or treadmill for 5-20 minutes, after which we’ll measure lung function.

Bring shorts/jogging pants, running shoes and a bottle of water with you.
Do not have a heavy meal within 2 hours before the test, but make sure to have a light snack 1 hour before e.g.: soup, juice, fruit or a granola bar.

This test is tiring and can cause temporary shortness of breath.

Temporarily stop using these medications before a lung function or other test

Short acting bronchodilators (salbutamol or Ventolin®) 6 hours before your test.

Long-acting bronchodilators (salmeterol or Serevent®, formoterol or Oxeze®) or inhaled steroid long-acting bronchodilator combination puffers (Advair, Symbicort, Zenhale) 24 hours before the test. Stop these medications 36 hours before a methacholine challenge or exercise test.

Keep us updated

Advise the laboratory at least 2 days before the test if you/your child has had recent eye surgery, a pneumothorax, or recent dental surgery, or if your child has an active respiratory infection (such as a cold, the flu, pneumonia, or tuberculosis (TB) as we will re-schedule the test.

Make a referral

Request a Pulmonary Function Test

To make an appointment, your pediatrician, family physician, nurse practitioner, or another physician-specialist must refer you. All referrals are reviewed and appointments are scheduled based on the urgency of the case.

Children must be at least 6 years of age and able to cooperate with the respiratory therapists’ instructions, including taking forceful and prolonged breaths. For methacholine and exercise tests, children must be at least 8 years old and have shown that they can do a basic lung function test.

Location

We are located in clinic C-9, second floor of CHEO (just around the corner from the Oasis coffee shop).