UNEVEN DISTRIBUTION OF PULMONARY ARTERIAL WEDGE PRESSURE IN CHRONIC BRONCHITIS AND EMPHYSEMA

In 40 subjects the mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure (PAWP) was measured at different sites of the lungs. In healthy individuals no significant differences of PAWP were recorded, whereas in chronic bronchitis with pulmonary emphysema and in pulmonary fibrosis the pressures in various sites often differed, more distinctly in advanced forms of disease and particularly in cor pulmonale with right heart failure. The uneven pressures are not due to the measurement at different distances from the reference level but are probably due to local circulatory changes. © 1969 S. Karger AG, Basel.