Abstract
In 53 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis, cardio-pulmonary functions were studied with aid of the right heart catheterization and subdivisions of the lung volume were measured.The results were as follows : With the progress of tuberculous lesion of lungs, pulmonary arterial pressure, volume of minute ventilation, cardiac index, pulmonary vascular resistance and work of the right heart against pressure increased, and then O2 removal, arterial O2 content and arterial O2 saturation decreased. Pulmonary hypertension was attributable mainly to the increased pulmonary vascular resistance caused by the reduced pulmonary vascular bed. Cardiac index showed a positive correlation to O2 uptake and negative correlation to arterial O2 saturation and A-VO2 difference. Generally, cardiopulmonary functions were relatively well compensated, and, in advanced cases, however, there was a possibility of appearance of chronic cor pulmonale.
