 |
The arterial blood gas is a test that measures the amount of oxygen your blood is able to carry to the tissues in your body. This test is performed by placing a needle into an artery in your wrist. Approximately 3 cc of blood is withdrawn. The procedure takes about 5 minutes. Any discomfort at the site where the needle is inserted will go away within a few minutes.
Pulmonary Function Tests measure lung volume and the rate of air flow through your lungs. You will be required to perform a variety of breathing exercises by blowing into a tube. The results of these exercises will tell us the progress of your lung disease. Please inform the Physician Assistant or Medical Assistant if you are taking any medications, such as bronchodilators or other inhaled medications.
A radiographic study requires the use of x-rays. The most common is the chest x-ray. The chest x-ray is a painless, three-minute procedure that takes an internal picture of your chest including the lungs, ribs, heart, and the contours of the great vessels of your chest. A chest x-ray can aid in diagnosing infection, collapsed lung, hyperinflation, or tumors. If you are a lung transplant recipient, for example, you will require frequent chest x-rays during your initial evaluation and waiting period, daily chest x-rays once your transplant has occurred, and regular follow-up chest x-rays at almost every clinic visit thereafter.
A chest CT is a picture taken of horizontal slices of your chest and the computer projection of these pictures. The chest CT provides detailed images of the structure of your chest. These images are compared to your chest x-ray. Chest CT assists us to detect problems in the chest not easily found on chest x-ray. Occasionally, the use of an injected contrast material is required.
A ventilation-perfusion scan is a test that compares right and left lung function. You will be injected with a small amount of radioactive material and will then be asked to inhale (through a mask) a radioactive gas which is distributed throughout your lungs. The gas is exhaled normally. We expect your left lung to have a little bit less perfusion and less ventilation than the right lung because the left lung is smaller.
An EKG is a ten-minute procedure that is performed by placing six electrodes on your chest and one electrode on each of your four limbs. A recording of the electrical activity of your heart is obtained. This recording provides information about the rate and rhythm of your heart beat, how your heart is situated in your chest, and it also assesses any damage to your heart.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the heart. It is performed to evaluate the impact of lung disease on the mechanics of your heart. It examines the chambers, valves, aorta, and the wall motion of your heart. This testing can also provide information concerning the pressure in the pulmonary arteries (PA pressure). For patients undergoing lung transplantation, this information is important in planning the exact approach that will be used during the transplant operation.
Radionuclide ventriculography is a test that evalutates the performance of both the right and left ventricles, the two main pumping chambers of your heart. Specifically, it records the volume of blood that your heart pumps in one heart beat, as well as other information about the chambers of your heart. This test requires that you receive an injection of radioactive material. Sequential pictures are then taken of your heart.
Blood samples are required for both routine and specialized testing. Specimens are sent for blood chemistries including potassium, sodium, cholesterol, triglycerides, liver function tests, and other electrolytes. A complete blood count is obtained to determine whether you may have an infection or anemia. Blood levels are obtained to determine the presence of a variety of diseases, including herpes simplex, HIV, and other viruses.
Comments about this website may be directed to: kzahner@partners.org
NOTICE: This email is not for medically related issues. Comments or concerns regarding patient-related care should be directed to the Thoracic Surgery Clinic at 617-732-6824.
©2010, Division of Thoracic Surgery at Brigham and Women's Hospital. All rights reserved.
Division of Thoracic Surgery
Brigham and Women's Hospital
75 Francis Street
Boston, MA 02115