restrictive ventilatory impairment (spirometry)
Last reviewed 07/2021
In a restrictive type of ventilatory impairment the volume of the lung is restricted, for example in pulmonary fibrosis, infiltration or by rigidity of the chest wall.
The vital capacity is reduced and the FEV1 is also reduced in proportion. The ratio between FEV1/FVC is normal - about 0.75 - or even higher than normal.
There is a reduction in the diffusion capacity of the lung and there is usually a low arterial pCO2.