Blood volume and arterial blood gases in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease during and after acute respiratory failure.

The blood volume and arterial blood gases of 18 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease were studied over a period of 1/2 to 5 years, including 35 acute exacerbations of the lung disease. Treatment during exacerbation was directed at infection, bronchial obstruction and hypervolemia. Long-term diuretic therapy was instituted during the follow-up period.

Improvement in pulmonary function with diuretic therapy in the hypervolemic and polycythemic patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Central hemodynamics and gas exchange were studied in six patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (mean age, 60 years). Patients were selected for the study if the volume of blood was 1 L larger than the predicted normal value, if there was no history of infection, and if no drug assumed to influence pulmonary circulation had been given during the last four weeks. Measurements were first performed in the hypervolemic state.

Emergency room resuscitation of patients with cardiac arrest outside hospital. Outcome and immediate prognosis in 319 patients.

Resuscitation was attempted in 319 patients brought to hospital with cardiac arrest during a 5-year period. Primary successful results were achieved in 50 patients (15.7%).

Muscle metabolism in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and acute respiratory failure.

1. The concentration of metabolites in intercostal and quadriceps muscle, and pulmonary function, were studied in twelve patients with chronic obstructive lung disease and acute respiratory failure before, during and after standardized treatment at an intensive care unit. The findings were compared with those obtained in hospitalized patients of comparable age with non-pulmonary diseases.

Acute effects of intermittent positive pressure breathing in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease.

The immediate effects of intermittent positive pressure breathing (IPPB) on air were studied in seven patients (age 55-73 years) with advanced chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and with chronic respiratory insufficiency. Dynamic lung compliance was reduced by an average of 25% by IPPB, while inspiratory resistance increased by 40%. Distribution of inspired gas, as determined by nitrogen washout, became more even with IPPB.

Studies on pulmonary function in patients during respiratory treatment. Diagnostic and prognostic evaluations.

Twenty-nine patients, divided into three groups: 1) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; 2) acute or chronic pulmonary disease with left heart failure; 3) respiratory insufficiency after peritonitis, pancreatitis, and/or sepsis, were studied during respirator treatment with regard to gas exchange, breathing mechanics and central circulation. The dead space ventilation was somewhat greater in group 1 than in the other groups. The alveolar-arterial oxygen tension difference was least in group 1, greater in group 2 and extremely high in group 3.