Spirometry is a essential test for assessing pulmonary function. This test is frequently used in

Guidelines for the six-minute walk test The six-minute walk test has been shown as a very useful tool in the functional assessment of patients with chronic respiratory diseases enclosing patients with pulmonary hypertension. Methodological standardization of this test is fundamental for interpreting its results, as well as for using it in the short and long-term clinical follow up of our patients. The purpose of these guidelines is justly to spread out in our country the proper way to perform this useful test. In this context, indications, contraindications, limitations, security measures and detailed instructions about how to carry out, how to report and how to interpret the 6 minute walk test are described in these guidelines.

Peak expiratory flow measurement in primary clinical practiceMeasurement of peak expiratory flow (PEF) by using the mini Wright meter is widely used for assessing patients with airway obstruction in the clinical practice. This document -written by the Pulmonary Function Commission of Chilean Respiratory Disease Society-provides a basic guideline for using this measurement in adult patients. Indications, technique and evaluation of the airway obstruction by measuring PEF through a mini Wrigth meter are briefly described.

Spirometry is a basic test for assessing pulmonary function. This test is largely used nowadays, because of its low cost and acceptable reproducibility. Its feasibility has been shown even in 2 to 6 year old children. Considering the importance of applying standardized techniques in spirometry, a committee of specialists on pulmonary function from Chilean Respiratory Society, published in 2006 a procedures manual on spirometry. By 2014 new spirometric reference equations for healthy Chilean adults were published and more recently in 2017, the American Thoracic Society and the European Respiratory Society have published recommendations for a standardized pulmonary function report. The aim of this manual is to report international norms performing spirometry, in order to promote their application in clinical and laboratory practice. In addition, this reviewed manual encloses newest concepts on spirometry in preschool children, reference values, and a general assent way for interpreting and reporting spirometric values at clinical and at laboratory work is proposed.

A brief guideline for carrying out pulse oximetry in the clinical practice is presented. This guideline was written by the Pulmonary Function Commission of the Chilean Respiratory Disease Society. Basic aspects for applying this non-invasive measurement to adults and infants as well as carefulness in interpreting its results are briefly described.