Methacholine Challenge Study

A Methacholine Challenge Study evaluates the reactivity (sensitivity) of a patient's lungs by actually causing and measuring a reaction. This reaction is done to help diagnose the severity of the patient's disease, most commonly asthma.

The patient is first given a full Pulmonary Function Test (PFT), to establish a baseline. For more information about PFTs, please click here.The Methacholine testing consists of a series of airflow maneuvers with which the patient is already familiar. These maneuvers, conducted after inhalation of methacholine, are administered up to five times, in increasingly stronger dosages. During this test, the Respiratory Therapist is looking for at least a 20% drop in certain measurements from the baseline testing to signal a positive test. If and when this level is reached, the therapist will then administer treatments to reverse the effects of the methacholine. Information gained from this testing enables a physician to better develop a course of treatment.

Methacholine Challenge Studies are routinely conducted for those 12 years of age or older, close to home, at AVH. For more information, please call 603-326-5847.