PEF

Medical abbreviation · Respiratory

PEF
Stands forPeak expiratory flow
CategoriesMedical

PEF stands for Peak expiratory flow, a respiratory abbreviation.

Fastest speed of air a person can blow out in a single forceful breath, measured in liters per minute with a simple handheld peak flow meter. People with asthma use it at home to monitor control and detect early worsening.

Example: PEF 260 L/min, 55% of personal best: yellow zone, follow action plan and call the clinic.

Usage notes

Asthma action plans often divide readings into green (80 to 100 percent of personal best), yellow (50 to 80 percent) and red (below 50 percent) zones. Readings depend on effort and technique, so the best of three blows is recorded. Day-to-day variability supports an asthma diagnosis. PEF is less precise than spirometry for diagnosis.

More respiratory abbreviations

  • OSA – Obstructive sleep apnea
  • P/F – PaO2/FiO2 ratio
  • PAH – Pulmonary arterial hypertension
  • PAP – Positive airway pressure
  • PE – Pulmonary embolism
  • PEEP – Positive end-expiratory pressure
  • PEFR – Peak expiratory flow rate
  • PF – Pulmonary fibrosis
  • PFT – Pulmonary function test
  • PH – Pulmonary hypertension
  • PIP – Peak inspiratory pressure
  • PNA – Pneumonia

See all 109 respiratory abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.