Reduced FEV1/FVC Ratio with Bronchodilator Reversibility
A significantly lower-than-normal exhalation volume in the first second that improves by at least 12 percent after inhaling albuterol.
Description
The patient breathes forcefully into a mouthpiece connected to a machine called a spirometer. Originating from rudimentary water-based devices in the 1840s by John Hutchinson, modern digital spirometers precisely track airflow over time. It is crucial for assessing airway obstruction and reversibility.