Geoff Maksym, PhD
Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS

Oscillometry measures the mechanics of the respiratory system and is sensitive to its changes in disease, and sensitive to where disease usually starts, the small airways. Importantly, oscillometry measures how hard it is to move air into and out of the respiratory system during normal breathing. This presentation will describe how to interpret the metrics of oscillometry in health and in disease, focusing on the common indices of resistance and reactance: R5, X5 AX, R5-20. Several studies providing reference values from pediatric to adult are available and will be discussed. A simple but important aspect of oscillometry that will be discussed is its quality assurance, recently updated by the ERS taskforce on oscillometry. This presentation will also provide a brief look to current advances improving the sensitivity and accuracy of oscillometry from children to adults.

Learning Objectives:
At the end of this presentation, attendees will be able to:

  • Understand and describe how to measure respiratory mechanics using oscillometry;
  • Describe the key metrics of oscillometry and how they relate to respiratory function in health and disease; and
  • Understand how oscillometry is performed for quality assurance and hear about recent advances in its practice.

CanMEDS Roles Addressed: Communicator , Leader, Medical Expert, Scholar