Influence of cardiac output level on oxygen exchange in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients

• Published in: Clinical physiology and functional imaging 2006-09, Vol.26 (5), p.275-282
• Main Authors: Manier, Gérard, Pillet, Odile, Castaing, Yves
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiac Output; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; gas exchange; Humans; Hypoxia; Male; Middle Aged; Models, Theoretical; multiple inert gas elimination technique; Myocardium - metabolism; Oxygen - metabolism; Oxygen Inhalation Therapy; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive - therapy; Pulmonary Gas Exchange; Retrospective Studies; tissue oxygenation; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 1475-0961; 1475-097X
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1475-097X.2006.00687.x

Summary Study objectives:  In the course of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary gas exchange deteriorates as a result of ventilation/perfusion inequalities and hypoxaemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of cardiac output (CO) level observed at rest in COPD patients on interaction between central and peripheral O2 exchange. Methods:  One hundred and nine patients with advanced but stable COPD were analysed in a retrospective study by the multiple inert gas elimination technique. As a function of CO, simulations were conducted to evaluate the respective part of PvO2 and inequalities on the degree of hypoxaemia. Measurements and results:  PaO2 was linked (i) to cardiac index (CI), (ii) to mean ratio of blood flow distribution and (iii) to PvO2, but PvO2 was not correlated with CO. By comparing two groups with CI above and below the mean value of the series respectively, a significant difference was identified in PaO2 (57 ± 9 mmHg in the high CI group versus 63 ± 10 mmHg in the low CI group, P