ABSTRACT

The bronchial challenge test with exercise (BCTE) is designed to evaluate the effect of exercise on spirometric parameters, as it makes it possible to explore whether exercise induces bronchial obstruction. This test is particularly useful in those patients that present symptoms of bronchial obstruction but whose at-rest spirometry is normal, and in others who present respiratory symptoms only while doing exercise. Although general recommendations for conducting BCTE have been published, we consider that certain aspects related to the technique of test performance and interpretation of results are not sufficiently well defined. With the goal of improving quality control and facilitating test performance, this article reviews the existing international recommendations related to this procedure and presents guidelines that may contribute to achieving a better standardization process.

KEYWORDS

Bronchial challenge, exercise, pulmonary function, exercise-induced asthma, spirometry.

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