Summary of the procedures relating to bronchodilator response
| Procedures suggested to minimise differences within and between laboratories |
| Assess lung function at baseline |
| Administer salbutamol in four separate doses of 100 µg through a spacer |
| Re-assess lung function after 15 min. If you want to assess the potential benefits of a different bronchodilator, use the same dose and the same route as used in clinical practice. The wait time may be increased for some bronchodilators |
| An increase in FEV1 and/or FVC ≥12% of control and ≥200 mL constitutes a positive bronchodilator response |
| In the absence of a significant increase in FEV1 and/or FVC, an improvement in lung function parameters within the tidal breathing range, such as increased partial flows and decrease of lung hyperinflation, may explain a decrease in dyspnoea |
| The lack of a bronchodilator response in the laboratory does not preclude a clinical response to bronchodilator therapy |
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second; FVC: forced vital capacity.