One of the most effective ways to detect respiratory failure is a test with a bronchodilator. It allows you to quite accurately determine, and sometimes prevent the development of pathology.
Definitions
Spirometry (spirography) is a procedure for testing pulmonary parameters that performs several very important functions in medicine: educational, evaluative, diagnostic. A similar study is carried out in order to identify a variety of pathological processes, as well as to monitor the patient's condition during therapy, to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapeutic effect.
What is a test with a bronchodilator? Spirometry is the most effective diagnostic technique that allows you to identify a dangerous pathology at the initial stages of its development, to prevent its transition to a chronic form, and to start therapy in a timely manner, which will lead to the patient's recovery.
Indications
Samples with bronchodilators are indicated for use if the patient has the following symptoms:
- Lack of oxygen.
- Whistling, wheezing when inhaling, exhaling.
- Shortness of breath, difficulty breathing while lying down, while walking, with an increase in psychological stress.
- Chronic forms of pathologies of the lungs, bronchi.
- Prolonged cough, the origin of which is not clear.
- The need to control the effectiveness of the prescribed therapy for pathologies of the respiratory organs.
- Allergic reactions.
- Search for restriction.
- Determination of the level of respiratory disorders in bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, bronchial asthma, fibrosing idiopathic alveolitis, silicosis, pneumonia.
- Preparation for examinations, surgical interventions.
- Frequent respiratory illnesses.
- Determination of the presence of obstructive changes in the respiratory tract in smokers, if there is no symptomatology or obstructive signs are poorly expressed.
Contraindications
Spirometry (a test with a bronchodilator) and spirography are contraindicated in the presence of acute forms of infectious pathologies, severe forms of angina pectoris, in acute periods of myocardial infarction, with high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, mental pathologies that make it difficult for patients to correctly follow the instructions of the diagnostician. There is a possibility of incorrect execution of the instructions, so the procedure is not performed for children under 4 years of age.
The principle of exposure to bronchodilator drugs
Bronchodilators are considered certain substances that have a bronchodilating effect. Special aerosols and sprays produced by pharmacological manufacturers have similar properties. Against the background of the use of such drugs, the bronchi expand and the respiratory functions improve.
However, a similar effect from their use can not always be observed. In this regard, the test for susceptibility to bronchodilators is an indispensable important and effective method for determining respiratory disorders.
Bronchodilators include:
- Antispasmodics that have a myotropic effect, for example, "Eufillin."
- M-anticholinergics - ipratropium bromide, atropine sulfate.
- Substances characterized by beta-2-adrenomimetic activity: adrenaline hydrochloride, Fenoterol, Salbutamol.
A study of susceptibility to bronchodilator drugs, the subsequent decoding of the results obtained, is used by doctors to determine the diagnosis most accurately, and then select a therapeutic regimen. The meaning of such a test is to compare the indications obtained before and after using bronchodilators.
The time of the test may vary depending on which medication is used. If the main component of the study includes Salbutamol, the interval between repeated measurements does not exceed a quarter of an hour. In the case when the main component is ipratropium bromide, the time intervals reach an average of half an hour. Due to the run in time, the rate of development of the effect of the use of a particular medication. In other words, the effect of Salbutamol is observed 15 minutes after its use, and ipratropium bromide - after half an hour.
Special preparation for the study is not required. The first measurement is carried out when the patient is in a calm state, and there are no loads on the respiratory system. Then, a finely dispersed solution of a bronchodilator is injected into the patient’s body using a nebulizer or other aerosol device. After the allotted time has elapsed, respiratory activity is again measured.
The results obtained during the test with a bronchodilator are verified, systematized using a computer. In many situations, it is very difficult to identify deviations of the respiratory system by external manifestations. To accurately distinguish and determine the differences, they use a special computer that compares two air currents before and after using a bronchodilator medication.
Is a positive test with a bronchodilator good or bad? Let's figure it out.
Decoding of sample results
The results are expressed in percentage ratios that allow you to most accurately display the difference between the quality of the air flow before and after the introduction of bronchodilator drugs into the body. When the dynamics are positive, the reaction is considered positive. Otherwise, if there are no changes, and respiratory activity remains at the initial level, the test with a bronchodilator is considered negative, that is, the use of the medication gave a negative result.
Positive reaction
The correct decoding of the data obtained during the test is very important, because thanks to it, the specialist determines the nature and level of the negative component of the pathology. In simple terms, a positive reaction to the use of a bronchodilator means the effectiveness of the use of the drug. In other words, it can be used for the prevention or treatment of pathology.
Negative reaction
So, the test with a bronchodilator is negative - what does it mean? A negative test result allows us to conclude that traditional bronchodilator drugs do not give any effect. In other words, their further use is inappropriate. In addition to determining the effectiveness of drugs, a positive spirography reaction indicates the degree of development of the pathology.
Usually, the initial stages of the development of pathology are reflected in the test and give a positive result. In severe forms and severe damage to the respiratory system, a negative test result is most often detected.
Thus, spirometry and spirography with a sample with a bronchodilator are extremely important studies to determine the nature and degree of damage to the respiratory system.
By its indicators, it is possible to determine the scale of the development of pathology. This is very important for the appointment of an appropriate therapeutic course, the formation of recommendations of a preventive nature. Using such studies, the specialist forms a general characteristic of the patient’s respiratory system, gets an idea of the scheme of subsequent therapy.
conclusions
With positive results, simpler forms of pathological changes are implied, which means simplified therapy or compliance with preventive recommendations. Negative results are usually a prerequisite for long-term and complex treatment, as they indicate rather serious pathologies of the respiratory system.