Pathophysiological Study on Respiratory Volume and Total Oxygen Consumption in Liver Cirrhosis and Other Diseases

Abstract

Prof. K. HARA and his coworkers have demonstrated that distinct differences in visceral circulation and metabolism during an induced hypoxemia (by inhalating 10% O₂ gas mixture) could be observed between normal subjects and patients with visceral vascular damage. During the induced hypoxemia the splanchnic oxygen consumption was found to decrease in cirrho-tics, while it increased markedly in normal subjects. In liver cirrhosis, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) decrease, pH increase, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) decrease and a pat-tern of respiratory alkalosis was observed during room air breathing. This suggested that there might be some relation between these results, respiratory volume (VE) and total oxygen consumption (VO₂). Such results are not available in the literature and the present paper will attempt to clarify this relationship. Method s Measurement of VE, VO₂ and analysis of arterial blood gas were performed before and during the 10% O₂ gas inhalation. In measuring VE and VO₂, a 3 minutes' sample of expired gas, collected with the DOUGLAS bag was determined with the SCHOLANDER microgas analyzer. Arterial blood was obtained from the femoral artery through places needles, and the PaO₂ and PaCO₂ were determined with the I. L. meter (Instrumentation Laboratory U. S. A). Bicarbonate (HCO₃^-) was calculated by using the HENDERSON-HASSELBACH equation from the determined values of PaCO₂ and pH. Arterial oxygen saturation (SaO₂) was measured with the VAN SLYKE manometer or determined from the O₂ dissociation curve. Materials This study was carried out on the following table cases.