Already established as a 'classic' in the field, Clinical Tests of Respiratory Function presents an authoritative yet accessible account of this complex area, fusing the basic principles of respiratory physiology with applications in clinical practice across a wide range of disorders.



This third edition has been extensively revised to reflect advances in our understanding of respiratory function at rest, on exercise and during sleep, together with technological developments related to investigation and treatment. Now subdivided into four practical sections, users can easily pick their desired topic, from the commonly used tests and their underlying physiological mechanisms to abnormalities of function in both respiratory and non-respiratory diseases. The book concludes with a helpful section on test interpretation, new to this edition.



This eagerly awaited revision will quickly find a place on the bookshelves of all practitioners - clinicians and laboratory investigators - who have an interest in respiratory function.


From the reviews of the second edition:

'skillfull achieves lucid descriptions of complex physiological concepts ..... a classsic within the pulmonary literature, providing a concise yet complete account of pulmonary physiology from a clinical perspective' British Journal of Hospital Medicine

'very useful...the book is authoritative, comprehensive, extensively referenced and - for a book on this topic - easy to read and understand' Thorax


Lucid descriptions aid a clear understanding of difficult physiological concepts
Successfully bridges the gap between academic research and daily clinical practice
Extensively referenced
Fully illustrated and enhanced in this third edition by the introduction of a second colour throughout



Table of Contents:
Part A The tests and their physiological basis
1 Respiratory mechanics
2 Pulmonary gas exchange
3 Carbon monoxide diffusing capacity (transfer factor)
4 Arterial blood gases and acid dash;base balance
5 Tests of ventilatory control
6 Respiratory measurements during sleep
7 Exercise tests
8 Normal variation
Part B Function in respiratory disease
9 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obliterative bronchiolitis
10 Bronchiectasis and cystic fibrosis
11 Asthma
12 Central airway obstruction and bronchial carcinoma
13 Respiratory infections and acute respiratory distress syndrome
14 Diffuse parenchymal lung disease
15 Pulmonary vascular disease
16 Diseases of the pleura and chest wall
17 Function of the transplanted lung
18 Sleep apnoea syndromes
Part C Respiratory function in systemic diseases
19 Cardiac disease
20 Neuromuscular disease
21 Blood disorders
22 Renal diseases
23 Hepatic and bowel disease
24 Metabolic and endocrine disorders
25 Rheumatic and connective tissue disorders
26 Psychogenic dyspnoea
Part D Interpretation
27 Interpretation of respiratory function tests



About the Author(s):
G.J Gibson, Professor of Respiratory Medicine, University of Newcastle upon Tyne; and Consultant Respiratory Physician, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK