Choose Location

We provide care in three easily-accessible locations across the Rio Grande Valley.

Weslaco

1604 East 8th St., Suite A
Weslaco, TX
Phone: (956) 447-5557

McAllen

5300 North McColl Rd., Suite 100
McAllen, TX
Phone: (956) 630-1000

Mission

1022 E. Griffin Pkwy.
Mission, TX 78572
Phone: (956) 833-6000

Pulmonary Diagnostic
Testing

Diagnostic Testing

The proper treatment begins with a proper diagnosis. The doctors at The Pulmonary and Sleep Center of the Valley have a variety of examination testing and evaluation options available depending on the breathing problems you are experiencing. With a proper diagnosis of your ailment, you can pursue the appropriate therapies for you to breathe better, sleep better and live better.

Digital Chest X-Rays

A digital chest x-ray exposes the patient to 80 percent less radiation than traditional x-rays, while delivering enhanced images and more accurate diagnoses. As a result, we use this approach to help diagnose pulmonary issues such as cancer, infection, cystic fibrosis, or emphysema.

6-Minute Walk Test

The 6-minute walk test is a relatively simple and non-invasive approach to diagnosing a number of pulmonary problems. During this test, patients walk at their normal pace for 6 minutes as a way of evaluating their capacity for aerobic exercise. This test may be used in the context of conditions such as pulmonary hypertension or COPD and is often paired with additional diagnostic testing.

Bronchoscopy

A bronchoscopy is a procedure that allows the doctor to look at your airway using a device called a bronchoscope. During a bronchoscopy, your doctor will be able to better examine your throat, larynx, trachea, and lower airways. This approach may be used to help diagnose conditions such as blockages, infections, interstitial pulmonary disease, vocal cord paralysis, and more.

Pulmonary Function Test

A pulmonary function test (PFT) is a noninvasive diagnostic test that will provide the doctor with measurable feedback about the function of your lungs. By assessing lung volume, capacity, rate of flow, and gas exchange, the PFT can help the doctor diagnose certain lung disorders, including asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema.

Thoracentesis

Thoracentesis is a procedure the doctor may perform in order to remove excess fluid in the pleural space. The pleural space is the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This procedure can also be used to diagnose lung dysfunctions such as congestive heart failure, pneumonia, and blood clots in the lungs.

Methacholine Challenge

A methacholine challenge is also known as a bronchial challenge test or a histamine challenge test. You will receive a small dose of methacholine and be evaluated based on how much of drop in breathing ability you experience as a result. The test is used to help doctors evaluate a patient for asthma.

Cardiopulmonary Stress Test (CPX)

A cardiopulmonary stress test will help your doctor better evaluate how well your heart and lungs are working during exercise. While you walk on a treadmill, measurements will be made of the amount of oxygen your body is using. A cardiopulmonary stress test can be done to evaluate shortness of breath, evaluate or detect heart failure, and evaluate lung function.

Pulse Oximeters

A pulse oximeter is a device that can indirectly monitor the oxygen saturation of a patient’s blood, and changes in blood volume in the skin. The resulting data is called a photoplethysmogram.

Right Heart Catheterization

A right heart catheterization, or “right heart cath” is a procedure that lets the doctor look inside your heart. The heart cath allows the doctor to check pressure and blood flow in the chambers inside your heart, determine how much oxygen is in your blood, and check the heart valves and blood vessels. A heart cath can help determine if you need surgery, and may also be used to repair certain heart problems.