Abstract
Six family members (wife, 3 sons and 2 daughters) of a patient with pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis were studied for ventilatory response against hypoxia and hypercapnia, pulmonary functions and serum protease inhibitors.
Ventilatory response against hypoxia was abnormally low in 2 sons and 2 daughters. One son showed a low ventilatory response against hypercapnia. The pulmonary functions of the wife were abnormal in FFV1/FVC, Raw, PaO2, DLCO, CV/VC, ΔN2, V50, and V25. Three sons and 1 daughter showed abnormal pulmonary functions. Serum protease inhibitors (a1-antitrypsin, a2-macroglobulin, C1-inactivator, antithrombin III, and a2-plasmin inhibitor) were within normal limits in all the family members.
These results suggest involvement of familial factors in ventilatory control and pulmonary function.
