SVC & FVC Information for Candidates undertaking the Spirometry Assessment Certificate

21 June 2023

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Please see the statement below from the ARTP Spirometry Committee in regards to the portfolio assessment for the ARTP Spirometry Certification:

ARTP has received a number of queries requesting clarification of the reproducibility between SVC and FVC.

Essentially the values obtained for SVC and FVC should be comparable. However there are certain disease states where this may not be the case, such as obstructive airway disease, causing dynamic airway compression. This results in early airway closure and  gas trapping, which on spirometry is seen as reduced FVC compared to SVC. It is important to note that apart from machine error,  there are no instances where it would be expected to see a significantly higher FVC compared to SVC and this would likely be cause by a technical error. 

To be clear on the requirements, the ARTP have updated the standards document stating the reported FVC should not exceed the reported SVC by more than 150mls unless the subject has demonstrated a severe obstructive airways defect. Biological QC data must meet this reproducibility criteria.

Portfolios submitted by candidates who enrolled to undertake the certification process after the 1^st May will be marked against this standards. For candidates who enrolled prior to this date, their portfolio will be marked against the marking scheme for technical acceptability for SVC and FVC. If a clear technical error is demonstrated regardless of the SVC and FVC being comparable within 150mls or not, this will result in a fail of that patient test or biological QC.   

Please click here to view the current ARTP Standards document

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