Pulmonologist | Pulmonary Disease Questions Pulmonologist

Pulmonary function test results?

I am 26, female, just had my daughter four and a half months ago. Since her birth, I have had shortness of breath and cough for four months straight that seems to be getting worse. I had a functions test for my lungs, but cannot get a diagnosis until December, and the breathing is hard so I really want to know what the results mean. Smoking history, but I quit. History of asthma as a child. There are good days and then bad days and then good days again, rinse and repeat. Palpitations happen frequently with overly bad breathing episodes, and I am always 24/7 short of breath, even when resting. I cannot lay on my back because I cannot breathe properly. ECHO and chest X-Ray looked good.

SPIROMETRY:
1. FEV-1/FVC is 0.79
2. FEV-1 is 2.73 L /85%
3. FVC is 3.45 L / 92%
4.There is a significant bronchodilator response.

LUNG VOLUMES:
1. TLC is 4.97 L / 99%
2. RV/TLC is 0.28

DIFFUSING CAPACITY:
1. Diffusing capacity is 72%
2. DLCO/VA is 71%

INTERPRETATION:
1. Prebronchodilator spirometry showed moderate obstructive lung
disease with a significant bronchodilator response.
2. Lung volumes are within normal limits with no restriction,
hyperinflation, nor air trapping.
3. Diffusing capacity is mildly reduced.

A nurse told me it is COPD. Is that the case?

Female | 26 years old

1 Answer

That’s a tough one… Pulmonary function tests are out of my area of expertise. There is a condition called peripartum cardiomyopathy that typically presents with congestive heart failure symptoms in pregnancy, but, I believe, can also present afterward. A normal echo is good.

Have you received the COVID-19 vaccination? Many cardiovascular complications are associated with that “vaccination“ and they are not rare. Have you had COVID-19? Pulmonary sequelae from that can be long lasting.
All the best and congratulations on your daughter… I have one daughter myself and she is everything.