SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Lung function”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,153 records · Page 64Linked to original sources

PubMed1986

Socio-environmental factors and lung function.

The literature was reviewed to assess whether the evidence implicating socio-environmental (SE) factors as determinants of adult lung function was sufficient to require that they be taken into account in epidemiological studies, together with other factors, such as age and smoking. In six studies involving 11,000 adults resident in the USA, France and Denmark forced expiratory volume in 1 second was related to social class and/or one of a number of other factors including education, area of residence and housing status. Trends in three other studies involving approximately 15,000 children resident in the UK and the USA were similar. The consistency of the findings makes it difficult to escape the conclusion that SE factors should be taken into account in comparisons of lung function between populations when the purpose is to assess the role of other environmental factors such as occupational exposure.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2006

Intraaortic balloon pumping during cardioplegic arrest preserves lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: Linear flow during cardiopulmonary bypass is considered a potential mechanism of lung damage in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We evaluated differences in lung function of patients with COPD undergoing preoperative intraaortic balloon pumping (IABP), between linear flow during cardiopulmonary bypass (IABP-off) and maintenance of pulsatile flow (IABP-on at automatic 80 bpm) during cardioplegic arrest. METHODS: Fifty patients with COPD undergoing preoperative IABP were randomized between January 2004 and July 2005 to receive nonpulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass with IABP discontinued during cardioplegic arrest (25 patients; group A), or IABP-induced pulsatile cardiopulmonary bypass (25 patients; group B). Hospital outcome, need for noninvasive ventilation, oxygenation (partial pressure of oxygen, arterial to fraction of inspired oxygen [Pao(2)/Fio(2])), respiratory system compliance, and scoring of chest radiographs were compared. RESULTS: There were no hospital deaths, no IABP-related complications, and no differences in postoperative noninvasive ventilation (group A: 6 of 25, 24.0% vs group B: 5 of 25, 20%; p = not significant [NS]). One patient in both groups developed pneumonia (p = NS). Intensive care and hospital stay were comparable (p = NS). Group B showed lower intubation time (8.3 +/- 5.1 hours versus group A: 13.2 +/- 6.0; p = 0.001), better Pao(2)/Fio(2) at aortic declamping (369.5 +/- 93.7 mm Hg vs 225.7 +/- 99.3; p = 0.001) at admission in intensive care (321.3 +/- 96.9 vs 246.2 +/- 109.7; p = 0.003), and at 24 hours (349.8 +/- 100.4 vs 240.8 +/- 77.3; p = 0.003). The respiratory system compliance was better in group B at the end of surgery (56.4 +/- 8.2 mL/cm H(2)O vs 49.4 +/- 7.0; p = 0.004) and 8 hours postoperatively (76.4 +/- 8.2 vs 59.4 +/- 7.0; p = 0.0001), as well as scoring of chest radiograph at intensive care admission (0.20 +/- 0.41 vs 0.38 +/- 0.56; p = 0.05) and on the first day (0.26 +/- 0.45 vs 0.50 +/- 0.67; p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Automatic 80 bpm IABP during cardioplegic arrest preserves lung function in patients with COPD.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Exogenous surfactant restores lung function but not peripheral immunosuppression in ventilated surfactant-deficient rats.

The authors have previously shown that mechanical ventilation can result in increased pulmonary inflammation and suppressed peripheral leukocyte function. In the present study the effect of surfactant therapy on pulmonary inflammation and peripheral immune function in ventilated surfactant-deficient rats was assessed. Surfactant deficiency was induced by repeated lung lavage, treated rats with surfactant or left them untreated, and ventilated the rats during 2 hours. Nonventilated rats served as healthy control group. Expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-2 was measured in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), interleukin (IL)-1beta, and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) were measured in total lung homogenates. Outside the lung phytohemagglutinin (PHA)-induced lymphocyte proliferation, interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-10 production, and natural killer activity were measured in splenocytes. After 2 hours of mechanical ventilation, expression of MIP-2, IL-1beta, and HSP70 increased significantly in the lungs of surfactant-deficient rats. Outside the lung, mitogen-induced proliferation and production of IFN-gamma and IL-10 reduced significantly. Only natural killer cell activity remained unaffected. Surfactant treatment significantly improved lung function, but could not prevent increased pulmonary expression of MIP-2, IL-1beta, and HSP70 and decreased peripheral mitogen-induced lymphocyte proliferation and IFN-gamma and IL-10 production in vitro. In conclusion, 2 hours of mechanical ventilation resulted in increased lung inflammation and partial peripheral leukocyte suppression in surfactant-deficient rats. Surfactant therapy ameliorated lung function but could not prevent or restore peripheral immunosuppression. The authors postulate that peripheral immunosuppression may occur in ventilated surfactant deficient patients, which may enhance susceptibility for infections.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Lung function changes in pleural asbestosis.

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between radiographically detectable pleural changes and lung function in pleural asbestosis. One hundred and twenty chrysotile asbestos-exposed workers were enrolled in this retrospective study. For each examinee the length of asbestos exposure and the degree of dust cover at the workplace were assessed as well as the radiological and functional tests has been performed. The examinees were divided into two groups based on radiologically detectable changes: a) group with pleural changes (29%) and b) group without perceived pleural changes (71%). The obtained results indicate association between the length of asbestos exposure, pleural changes and the impairment of lung function.

Asbestos, Serpentine↗

PubMed1983

Effects of prenatal nitrofen exposure on postnatal lung function in the rat.

The herbicide Nitrofen was administered by gavage to pregnant F-344 rats during Days 10 through 13 of gestation. Postnatal lung function was measured in male progeny at 3 and 6 weeks of age. There were no differences in body weight or wet and dry lung weights between control and Nitrofen-exposed rats in either age group. Nitrofen produced no observable effects on lung function at 3 weeks of age. However, by 6 weeks of age the Nitrofen-exposed animals had significant decreases in tidal volume (p less than 0.01), vital capacity (p less than 0.01), total lung capacity (p less than 0.05), and quasi-static lung compliance (p less than 0.01). There was also a mild ventilation inhomogeneity, as indicated by significant increases in the nitrogen washout slope (p less than 0.01) and the moment ratio (p less than 0.05). Histopathology of lung, liver, kidney, and testes was not significantly altered by Nitrofen exposure. These data suggest that prenatal Nitrofen exposure may have an effect on postnatal lung maturation in the rat and could potentially be useful as a model of pulmonary hypoplasia.

Aging↗

PubMed2006

Transforming growth factor-beta1 polymorphisms, airway responsiveness and lung function decline in smokers.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the airways, parenchyma and vessels, which can cause a structural remodeling with increased fibrosis that narrows and fixes the airway lumen. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), a multifunctional growth factor, was reported to be increased in the airways of COPD patients. In this study, we hypothesized that polymorphisms in the TGF-beta1 gene would be associated with an accelerated rate of decline of forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV(1)). Three polymorphisms, -509 (C-->T), +869 (T-->C) and +915 (G-->C), located in TGF-beta1 gene were genotyped. We determined the prevalence of these polymorphisms in 590 continuing smokers who had the fastest (n=283) and slowest (n=307) rate of decline of lung function from the NHLBI Lung Health Study. There was no association between these TGF-beta1 polymorphisms and the rate of decline of FEV(1), but in a post-hoc analysis the genotype distribution at +869 was significantly different between high and low responders to methacholine (P=0.04). These data suggest that the T-C polymorphism at position +869 in the TGF-beta1 gene contributes to airway hyperresponsiveness, but not to rapid decline of lung function.

Bronchoconstrictor Agents↗

PubMed2002

Long-term effects of treatment with nasal continuous positive airway pressure on lung function in patients with overlap syndrome.

We assessed the effects of chronic nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on lung function in a series of unselected patients with overlap syndrome, and we determined whether there were differences in the response induced by CPAP between hypercapnic (PaCO2 > or =45 mm Hg) and eucapnic patients with overlap syndrome. The study population included 55 unselected patients (48 men, mean age of 58.5 +/- 10.5 years) with a concurrent diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) who had been referred to the Department of Pulmonology of our hospital over 2 consecutive years and in whom work-up studies resulted in the prescription of nasal CPAP therapy. An apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) greater than or equal to 10 in the cardiorespiratory polygraphy was required for the diagnosis of OSAHS. A forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) less than 80% and FEV1-forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio less than 70% of the reference values were required for the diagnosis of COPD. Control lung function studies and arterial blood gas measurements were performed at 6 and 18 months of CPAP therapy. These patients with overlap syndrome accounted for 28.5% of all patients with OSAHS treated with CPAP during the study period. The mean AHI was 37.3 +/- 26.1 and the mean CPAP level 7.3 +/- 1.3 cm H2O. Thirty-three patients were hypercapnic (PaCO2 > or = 45 mm Hg) and 22 eucapnic. The hypercapnic group had higher AHI value (44.3 +/- 26.9) than the eucapnic group (28.6 +/- 21.9) (P < 0.05). After 6 months of CPAP therapy, there were statistically significant increases in PaO2, FEV1, and FVC, accompanied by significant decreases in PaCO2, serum bicarbonate levels, and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference. Response of overlap syndrome patients to CPAP therapy was superior in the hypercapnic group, particularly in relation to improvement of arterial blood gases. However, statistically significant differences in all parameters for the comparison between 6 and 18 months were not recorded.

Body Mass Index↗

PubMed1997

Lung function and clinical outcome in postpolio patients: a prospective cohort study during 11 years.

The object of this investigation was to prospectively study the annual decline in lung function in a cohort of postpolio patients, and to determine the usefulness of initial lung function tests in the prediction of a subsequent poor outcome. Cross-sectional data were analysed in 55 patients from the total cohort of 350 survivors of poliomyelitis in our admission area of 550,000 inhabitants. Longitudinal data (> 5 yrs, average 8.9 yrs) were available for 31 patients. Seventeen of the patients had a poor outcome (13 were started on domiciliary artificial ventilation and five died from respiratory failure; with one overlap). At the time of entry to the study (on average 4.3 years before the poor outcome), these patients had a lower vital capacity (VC) (43 vs 65% of predicted; p < 0.01) and arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O2) (9.9 vs 11 kPa; p < 0.05) and a higher arterial carbon dioxide tension (Pa,CO2) (6.0 vs 5.0 kPa; p < 0.01). They also had a more rapid increase in Pa,CO2 (0.3 vs 0.03 kPa.yr-1; p < 0.01), but the difference in decline in VC (40 vs 30 mL.yr-1) was not significant. Initial VC < 50% of predicted and/or Pa,CO2 > 6 kPa was associated with a poor prognosis. In conclusion, annual decline in vital capacity was not abnormally rapid but annual increase in arterial carbon dioxide tension was higher in patients with a poor outcome. Initial determination of vital capacity and initial and repeated blood gas analysis appear to be useful in identifying high-risk postpolio patients.

Carbon Dioxide↗

PubMed1998

Determinants of reproducibility of lung function tests in children aged 7 to 10 years.

Lung function (LF) tests are part of many investigations in childhood lung disease. However, individual reproducibility of LF will confound between-subject differences. At the same time, increased LF variability has been linked to respiratory disease. In a sample of 598 children, two LF tests, separated by a 5-min interval, were recorded, and reliability (Rel) of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and maximal expiratory flow at 50% of FVC (MEF50) was determined. Rel was also assessed in children trained and untrained in the performance of LF. To investigate determinants of reproducibility for FEV1, the absolute difference between two repeated tests was calculated. Whenever this difference was > 120 ml, a child was considered to demonstrate excessive variability (poor reproducibility) in FEV1. For volume parameters coefficients of reliability (Crel) were found to be better than for MEF50 (FEV1: 0.96; FVC: 0.94, MEF50: 0.91). In untrained children Crel for FEV1 was only 0.91, but it was increased in subsequent visits (0.98, 0.97, and 0.97 at the second, third, and fourth tests, respectively). Excessive variability in FEV1 was observed in 10% of children and was related to the presence of wheeze [odds ratio (OR) 6.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.78-22.4), shortness of breath (OR 3.14; 95% CI 1.00-9.93), a diagnosis of asthma (OR 6.25; 95% CI 1.76-22.1), and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (OR 4.30; 95% CI 2.07-8.94). We conclude that increased variability of LF is likely to be present in young children not accustomed to the testing procedure and in children with respiratory symptoms. Therefore, before guidelines for LF testing are applied, children should be trained to perform the tests and we should be cautious in the interpretation of test results in children who present with symptoms.

Child↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Reliability of quantitative computed tomography to predict postoperative lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease having a lobectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the reliability of quantitative computed tomography (CT) to estimate the postoperative lung function in patients with mild to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who underwent a lobectomy. METHODS: Nine COPD patients with lung cancer having a lung lobectomy with preoperative CT were enrolled. By applying a density mask technique and a specific equation, predicted postoperative forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) and vital capacity (VC) were calculated. Predicted values were correlated with postoperative measured values. RESULTS: Estimated FEV1 and VC were always significantly lower than the corresponding postoperative values; however, CT-estimated postresection FEV1 values were better than the postresection VC values (biases between estimated and measured values were -0.14 and -0.536 L, respectively, according to the Bland-Altman method). Quantitative CT predicted postoperative FEV1 (r = 0.97, P < 0.001) and VC (r = 0.93, P < 0.001) well in all patients, however. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative CT may be an alternative tool to perfusion scan to predict postresection lung function, even in patients with borderline pulmonary function undergoing a lobectomy.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Rate of surfactant administration influences lung function and gas exchange in a surfactant-deficient rabbit model.

The aim of this study was to test whether the effect of surfactant treatment on lung function in a surfactant-deficient animal model can be influenced by the rate at which surfactant is administered. Surfactant deficiency was induced in 18 New Zealand white rabbits (weighing approx. 1 kg each) by lung lavage with normal saline. The arterial/alveolar oxygen ratio (a/A ratio), functional residual capacity (FRC), dynamic compliance of the respiratory system (Crs), tidal volume (V(T)), alveolar portion of the tidal volume (V(A)) and arterial P(CO2) (P(a,CO2)) were measured before and after lavage and 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after administration of a single dose of surfactant (Survanta, 100 mg/kg). Two surfactant administration protocols were compared over a 2-h interval: an infusion lasting 4 min and an infusion over 2 min. Both administrations were given during continuous mechanical ventilation. The six lung function and gas exchange parameters improved significantly following surfactant administration over 2 min compared with a control group. However, only the a/A ratio and V(A) improved following the 4-min protocol. Comparison of the two intervention protocols yielded significantly differences in V(A) and P(a,CO2), favoring the shorter administration. These results support the hypothesis that fast (2 min) administration of surfactant will improve its distribution to formerly collapsed alveoli and results in better lung function, improved ventilation, and (to a lesser extent) better oxygenation than prolonged infusions (4 min).

Animals↗

PubMed1983

Lung function and bronchial reactivity in six patients with immotile cilia syndrome.

Previous studies of immotile cilia syndrome have shown airway obstruction. The aim of this study was to analyse lung function in such patients before severe chronic obstruction had occurred. Spirometry, lung volumes, pulmonary resistance and static pressure volume diagram were studied in six patients (ages 21-43 years). Closing capacity, the volume of trapped gas and the slope of the alveolar plateau were determined with N2 wash-out tests. Regional ventilation was studied with a gamma camera after inhalation of 99Tcm-tagged dry aerosol. Arterial blood gases were determined at rest and during exercise. Bronchial reactivity was studied with FEV1 before and after inhalation of methacholine aerosol. Five of six patients showed a rather uniform pattern, dominated by signs of "small airway disease" seen in e.g. volumes of trapped gas and closing capacity. Those five patients had uneven ventilation scintiscans and bronchial hyperreactivity. Spirometric findings and lung mechanics were influenced by lung resection, scoliosis and by the lability of bronchial tone. Five patients had normal arterial blood gases at maximum work load. Working capacity was essentially normal in all but one patient, who had a high degree of obstruction. Immotile cilia syndrome is thus compatible with a comparatively well preserved lung function and a normal working capacity far into adult life.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Effects of corticosteroids on lung function in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Both oral and inhaled corticosteroids have clinically significant effects on symptoms, exacerbations, health status, and lung function in asthma, and to a lesser extent in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Change in FEV(1) does not correlate well with functional tests in COPD and may not be the best measure of response to treatment. Inhaled corticosteroids may be beneficial when added to a beta-agonist for treatment of acute asthma, and the efficacy of oral corticosteroids in this setting is well established. Oral corticosteroids inconsistently improve lung function in stable outpatients with COPD. Individual inhaled corticosteroids do not have a marked effect, but the combination of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol and the combination of budesonide plus formoterol seem to improve FEV(1) over treatment with the individual components. In addition, there is convincing evidence for the use of systemic corticosteroids during acute exacerbations of COPD. Some evidence suggests that patients with COPD who respond to corticosteroids have eosinophilic inflammation and other attributes of an asthma phenotype.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1979

Lung function in children following repair of tracheoesophageal fistula.

Lung function and bronchial reactivity by methacholine challenge were studied in 24 patients seven to 18 years after repair of type I tracheoesophageal fistula. Only one patient had no abnormalities of the variables tested. Thirteen patients had obstructive airways disease, five had a restrictive defect, and 15 had a positive methacholine challenge. It is postulated that continuing subclinical aspiration of esophageal contents causes lung damage and renders the airways hyperreactive.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1988

Lower respiratory illness in early childhood and lung function and bronchial reactivity in adolescent males.

We examined the relationship between lower respiratory illness (LRI) experience in early childhood and lung function and bronchial reactivity in 57 boys, 11 to 22 yr of age, whose histories of outpatient physician visits for wheezing and nonwheezing LRI had been documented prospectively during their first 6 yr of life. These boys were a subpopulation of 159 children whose early childhood LRI experience and spirometric performance had been studied an average of 4 yr previously. The majority of boys had been free of chronic respiratory symptoms in the 2 yr before evaluation. Boys with histories of 2 or more preschool wheezing illnesses had lower mean levels of performance for FEV1, FEF25-75, FEF50, FEF75, and FEV1/FVC than did boys who had zero or 1 preschool wheezing illness, replicating observations that had been made when the boys had been studied 4 yr previously. Boys with lower spirometric performance relative to the study population on initial testing continued to have lower relative levels of spirometric performance 4 yr later. Neither preschool wheezing nor nonwheezing illness experience was associated with the degree of methacholine sensitivity measured in adolescence. Increasing degrees of methacholine sensitivity were associated with lower levels of spirometric performance; however, preschool wheezing illness experience remained a significant correlate of spirometric performance after adjustment for level of methacholine sensitivity. We conclude that recurrent preschool wheezing illness in these adolescent boys was associated with persistently lower lung function, but not enhanced methacholine sensitivity, during the middle to late school years.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Lung functioning changes of asthmatic adults in treatment with cromolyn sodium and beclomethasone].

BACKGROUND: In asthmatic patients, besides symptoms, international guidelines recommend the measure of lung functioning tests as a parameter leading to diagnostic classification and evaluation of the treatment's effect. OBJECTIVE: To determine the changes in the lung function of asthmatic adults in treatment with cromolyn sodium and beclomethasone. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We made a clinical trial in adults with more than five years of persistent moderate asthma diagnosis. Before beginning the treatment there were carried out pulmonary function tests (PFR) with basal espirometry (prebeta2) and postbronchodilatador (posbeta2). To receive treatment, the patients were randomized in group A (beclomethasone), B (cromolyn sodium) and C (both medications). Treatment was completed by 6 months and at the end the spirometry was repeated. The results were analyzed with ANOVA, Student t and Mann-Whitney U tests according to the variables distribution. RESULTS: In each group 15 patients were included. The age, the asthma evolution time and the gender relationship were without differences. The results of the PFR are described as the average of the differences among the initial values and those obtained six months later: FEF25-75: prebeta2: group A: 15.4, B: 3.6 and C: 13.8 (ANOVA, p < 0.01); posbeta2: group A: 11, B: 4.5 and C: 17.5 (ANOVA, p < 0.5). FEF50: pre32: group A: 8.4, B: 2.3 and C: 14.7 (ANOVA, p <0.5); posbeta2: group A: 0.2, B: 3.1 and C: 15.7 (ANOVA, p < 0.01). FEF75: prebeta2: group A: 8.4, B: 4.7 and C: 13.6 (ANOVA, p < 0.5); posbeta2: group A: 4.2, B: 6.7 and C: 19.4 (ANOVA, p < 0.01). The differences between groups were: FEF25-75: prebeta2: A vs B, p = 0.08; B vs C, p = 0.1 and A vs C, p = 0.5; posbeta2: A vs B, p = 0.06; B vs C, p = 0.005 and A vs C, p =0.2. VF50: prebeta2: A vs B, p = 0.1; B vs C, p = 0.02 and A vs C, p = 0.1; posbeta2: A vs B, p = 0.4; B vs C, p = 0.001 and A vs C, p = 0.008. VF75: prebeta2: A vs B, p = 0.4; B vs C, p =0.03 and A vs C, p = 0.08; posbeta2: A vs B, p = 0.1; B vs C, p = 0.02 and A vs C, p =0.003. CONCLUSIONS: In the asthmatic adult of long evolution, the inhaled treatment with cromolyn sodium improves the pulmonary function. That improvement is better with the use of beclomethasone, but the combined use improves even more the spirometry parameters.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Influence of socioeconomic status on lung function and prediction equations in Indian children.

The present study was carried out to assess the influence of socioeconomic status on lung functions and to suggest prediction equations for Indian children. For this purpose, 2,616 normal, healthy schoolchildren aged between 5-15 years were recruited. Boys were classified into three groups, i.e., high-income (HIG), middle-income (MIG), and low-income (LIG), while girls were classified into HIG and LIG groups, based on socioeconomic status (SES). Height, weight, chest circumference, body surface area (BSA), fat-free mass (FFM), and body fat were assessed. Forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC ratio, and peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) were measured. The results, before and after adjustment of physical characteristics, showed that anthropometry, body composition, and lung functions were significantly higher in HIG compared to MIG and LIG children, while in girls, no differences were observed in physical characteristics after adjustments. Multiple linear regression equations were developed to predict FEV1, FVC, and PEFR, using independent variables like age, height, fat-free mass, and SES. It is opined that these equations could be used as Indian reference equations for healthy children based on the SES.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1979

Regional lung function following hip arthroplasty and preoperative normovolemic hemodilution.

The effect of preoperative normovolemic hemodilution with dextran 70 as dilutional agent on postoperative regional lung function was evaluated in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty in the lateral decubitus position. The major part of the surgical blood loss of these patients was replaced with the received autologous blood. The results obtained were compared to changes in a group of patients in whom the operative bleeding was replaced with bank blood. Regional lung function, as studied with Xe133 radiospirometry, is not negatively influenced by the hemodilution technique. In both groups a reduction in perfusion, ventilation and volume of ventilated alveoli was revealed postoperatively in the lung that was dependent during surgery, probably caused by impaired ventilation of this lung and peroperatively induced microembolism. A more rapid normalization was found in the preoperatively hemodiluted patients. The reduced volume of bank blood transfused to these patients and/or a protective effect of the preoperatively infused dextran on the microembolism evoked by the surgical trauma might explain this difference between the groups studied.

Aged↗