Body plethysmography: Recommendations and procedure

Abstract

Body plethysmography (BP) is a pulmonary function test that measures functional residual capacity (FRCpleth) and specific airway resistance (sRaw). BP currently constitutes the gold standard for measuring pulmonary volumes. Results of this test are effective in confirming the presence of pulmonary restriction, while in cases of obstructive disease they permit quantification of pulmonary hyperinflation and air trapping. The objective of this manuscript is to describe the standardized procedure for BP testing followed at the Respiratory Physiology Laboratory at Mexico City’s National Institute of Respiratory Diseases (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Respiratorias Ismael Cosío Villegas). While respecting current international standards, the article includes some practical recommendations for performing and interpreting this test that we hope readers will find useful.