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Investigations in emphysema

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

The investigation of emphysema should include:

  • chest radiography to show:
    • attenuated peripheral vessels
    • bullae

  • lung function tests to show:
    • increased total lung capacity
    • forced expiratory ratio (FEV1/FVC) is usually less than 0.65 implying an obstructive ventilatory impairment
    • reduced alveolar gas transfer

  • arterial blood gases to show:
    • normal PCO2
    • mild hypoxaemia

  • full blood count:
    • polycythaemia is uncommon

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