[New parameters "average flow" and "acceleration wave": comparison with current parameters in the flow volume curve].

AIM: The flow volume curve is an essential test method for diagnosis and treatment of the respiratory diseases. However, this curve depends on patient's continuous effort toward optimal expiration and it has been reported that differences in this effort may possibly result in error in flow speed. To overcome the potential error, we devised the "average flow" and the "acceleration wave" that comprehends the overall data of the expiration flow speed, and have done comparative analysis with the current parameters.

METHODS

The average flow is derived by taking the integration from the beginning of the expiration to the end, and divides the integrated value by the number of data counts. Additionally, the acceleration wave is derived by taking the second degree derivative of the flow volume curve.

RESULTS

The average flow showed strong correlation among healthy male and healthy female V50, obstructive index and criteria for COPD severity patients. Also, we were able to obtain the maximum acceleration from the acceleration wave. Significantly, this value showed strong correlation with the COPD patient's peak flow and average flow/peak flow.

CONCLUSIONS

If the ratio of the average flow and the peak flow is below a fixed criterion, it is an obstructive lung disease, if it is above, it is possible to detect restrictive lung disease. Since the maximum acceleration rate of the acceleration wave is derived by the start of the expiration nearly up to 100 ml, it is especially possible to detect minute changes of the flow speed in large respiratory tract.