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The flow volume loop (FVL) is a graphic display of airflow against lung volumes at different levels obtained during the maximum inspiratory and expiratory maneuver. It is a simple and reproducible method of lung function assessment. A narrative review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis...
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Context 1
... the lesions narrow and the flow decreases excessively during one or the other phases of respiration. In patients with upper airway obstruction, reduction of flow mainly occurs in high lung volumes whereas, in COPD, reduction of flow mainly involves the effort-independent part [13] (Table 1). ...Citations
... The annotation is based on visual features of the flowvolume curves and comparison with standardized curves from the literature [25], [26]. A patient was assigned to the severe flow limitation group as soon as a clear and sudden change could be observed in the flow-volume curve during the expiration phase (upper right quadrant). ...
Expiratory flow limitation (EFL) is an often unrecognized clinical condition with a multitude of negative implications. A mathematical EFL model is proposed to detect flow limitations automatically. The EFL model is a switching one-compartment lung mechanics model with a volume-dependent airway resistance to simulate the dynamic behavior during expiration. The EFL detection is based on a breath-by-breath model parameter identification and validated on clinical data of mechanically ventilated patients. In the severe flow limitation group 93.9 % ± 5 % and in the no limitation group 10.2 % ± 13.7 % of the breaths are detected as EFL. Based on the high detection rate of EFL, these results support the usefulness of the EFL detection. It is a first step toward an automated detection of EFL in clinical applications and may help to reduce underdiagnosis of EFL.
