Pulmonary Function Test

I recently underwent a PFT, after a diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension. I would be so very grateful if this part of the test that I have copied below could be explained to me so that I can understand more of what it all means:

ABG Resting areterial blood gas and pH determination performed on room air reveal a normal pH, PaCO2, and an evidence for moderate hypoxemia in that the patient's PaO2 was 26mmHg less than that calculated for her age and position.

CONCLUSION:

1. Mild restrictive ventilatory defect. (Spirometry and flow volume loop reveal a mild restrictive ventilatory defect. No evidence of airways obstruction.) Question if this defect is related to the patient's body habitus/obesity (height 64", weight 135 pounds). Also noteworthy is diagnosis given for complete pulmonary function test - pulmonary hypertension - question findings related to same. Clinical correlation is suggested.

2. Abnormal at rest arterial blood gas and pH determination with evidence of A.   Moderate hypoxemia.

I am due to have a sestamibi Stress Test and a repeat ECG very soon in the next couple of weeks.

Thank you very much.
MBT

[National Jewish]

The first step is to determine the cause of the pulmonary hypertension and the hypoxemia.

Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.  These are the blood vessels that bring blood to the lung from the heart.  Normal pulmonary artery pressure is 25/15 mm Hg.  Primary pulmonary hypertension is caused by problems within the blood vessels of the lung.  A lung problem, a heart problem, or an autoimmune disease that involves the pulmonary artery can result in secondary pulmonary hypertension.

Hypoxemia (PaO2) is a low level of oxygen in the blood.  Ideally this level should be 80 to 100 mm Hg at sea level.  There may be no symptoms with a low level.  Sometimes the problem is only found when testing is done.

Pulmonary embolism is a blood clot in an artery of the lungs.  This could cause both pulmonary hypertension and hypoxemia.  Testing should be done to determine if this is the problem, since this is a treatable condition.  A blood test called D-dimer is a helpful test to find blood clots.  However more information is obtained from a CT scan of the chest, specifically a spiral CT.  An echocardiogram is another helpful test.