SPIROMETRY

Spirometry is a common and effective diagnostic test for lung conditions. You will be asked to take in a big breath, and then blow as hard and long as you can into a machine. The machine measures how much air you can blow out from your lungs and how fast you can blow it out. 

• Smokers or former smokers
• Anyone with chronic unexplained lung symptoms like chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing
• People with asthma
• People with COPD
• And many others...! 

Review these websites to learn more about spirometry testing.

Canadian Lung Association:

https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/spirometry

Lung Health Foundation:

https://lunghealth.ca/lung-disease/a-to-z/spirometry/

Lung Sask:

https://www.lungsask.ca/lungs/lung-health/lung-tests/breathing-tests

Fraser Health:

https://www.fraserhealth.ca/Service-Directory/Services/Diagnostic-and-Medical-Imaging-Services/spirometry-testing

Please watch this video prior to your test:

https://www.resptrec.org/media/images/manual/Conducting%20Spirometry%20Video.mp4

This video will help you to understand what to expect from the test, so that you can perform a high quality test. Spirometry testing is effort-dependent, meaning that the patient must do a high quality test in order for the results to be accurate and interpretable. Sometimes this may not be possible for various reasons, but the technician will help you to do your best.

If this is your FIRST EVER SPIROMETRY TEST and you are on any inhalers, please withhold your inhalers according to the guidance below:

SABA (short-acting beta agonist) containing inhalers: 

- HOLD FOR 4-6 hours prior to the test                                                           

• Ventolin (Salbutamol)
• Airomir (Salbutamol)
• Bricanyl Turbuhaler (Terbutaline)

SAMA (short-acting muscarinic antagonist) containing inhalers:

- HOLD FOR 12 hours prior to the test  

• Atrovent (Ipratropium)     
• Combivent (Ipratropium/Salbutamol)                      

LABA (long-acting beta agonist) containing inhalers:

- HOLD FOR 24 hours prior to the test

• Serevent (Salmeterol)
• Oxeze (Formoterol)
• Foradil (Formoterol)
• Symbicort (budesonide + formoterol) 
• Zenhale (mometasone + formoterol fumarate)
• Advair (fluticasone propionate + salmeterol)
• Wixela (fluticasone propionate + salmeterol) 
• Breztri (budesonide + glycopyrronium + formoterol)  

Ultra-LABA (ultra long-acting beta agonist) containing inhalers:

- HOLD FOR 36 hours prior to the test

• Onbrez (Indacaterol)
• Breo (fluticasone furoate + vilanterol) 
• Atectura (indacaterol + mometasone)

LAMA (long-acting muscarinic antagonist) containing inhalers:

- HOLD FOR 36-48 hours prior to the test

• Spiriva (Tiotropium)
• Incruse (Umeclidinium)
• Seebri (Glycopyrronium)
• Tudorza (Aclidinium)
• Inspiolto (Tiotropium/Olodaterol)
• Anoro (Umeclidinium/Vilanterol)
• Ultibro (Indacaterol/Glycopyrronium)
• Duaklir (Aclidinium/Formoterol)
• Trelegy (fluticasone furoate + umeclidinium + vilanterol)
• Enerzair (indacaterol + glycopyrronium + mometasone)

If needed for symptom relief, a rescue inhaler can be used. Please note the time of use so that it can be reported to the technician conducting your test.

If you are a returning patient and this is a FOLLOW-UP TEST, please continue to use your inhalers as directed. 

However, if your doctor specifically instructs you to withhold your inhalers prior to the test, please follow their instructions.

Please AVOID the following before your test:

• Smoking and/or vaping and/or water pipe within 1 hour before testing
• Consuming intoxicants within 8 hours before testing
• Consuming alcohol or caffeine within 4 hours before testing
• Eating a large meal within 2 hours before testing
• Performing vigorous exercise within 1 hour before testing
• Wearing clothing that restricts full chest and abdominal expansion