Impulse Oscillometry -- A reasonable option to monitor lung functions in
the era of COVID-19 pandemic
Abstract
Spirometry, a gold standard technique for measuring lung functions, has
been restricted to a select cohort of patients in current COVID-19
pandemic due to the enhanced risk of disease dissemination. To monitor
pulmonary functions in various obstructive (e.g., asthma) and
restrictive diseases (e.g., COVID-19 pneumonia) on in- and out-patients
serially, there is an urgent requirement of an alternate reliable test.
Impulse Oscillometry (IOS) measures lung functions by working at tidal
volumes and thus reduces the risk of potential aerosol generation.
Feasibility of IOS in smaller children and its ability to detect
parenchymal and peripheral airway involvement are other advantages over
conventional spirometry. IOS could be a potential solution to
periodically monitor lung functions in current pandemic situation to
keep a check on diseases affecting lung functionality.