ISSN:
1432-1440
Keywords:
Chronic bronchitis
;
Right heart disease
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Simultaneous right heart catheterization and radionuclide ventriculography were performed in 27 patients with a wide range of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Central hemodynamics and radionuclide studies were done at rest and during exercise. In the resting state the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was in the normal range (43.3±6%). During exercise a significant (p〈0.001) decrease of RVEF to 38.8±6.7% occurred. The pumonary artery mean pressures were 19.9±3.8 at rest. During exercise a significant (p〈0.001) increase to 41±9.8 mm Hg occurred. There was a linear relationship between pulmonary pressures and RVEF during exercise in patients with pulmonary artery pressures not exceeding 35 mm Hg. In patients with right ventricular end-diastolic wall thickness ≧6 mm a curvilinear relationship between these parameters could be observed with a flattening of the curve at higher pressures (〉35 mm Hg) and lower ejection fractions (〈35% RVEF). Radionuclide venticulography cannot substitute for right heart catheterization. Echocardiography is useful for interpretation of right ventricular ejection fractions in advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01739670
