[Pulmonary gas exchange after myocardial infarction in the late period of recovery. II. Investigations during exercise (author's transl)]

[Cardio-pulmonary parameters after myocardial infarction in the late period of recovery. Investigation at rest and during exercise (author's transl)]

From 22 patients in the late period of recovery from myocardial infarction, cardio-pulmonary data were recorded at rest and during exercise. The physical work was increased stepwise until patients reached their individual limit of exercise. According to the different work capacity four groups of patients were formed with the aim to demonstrate the adaption processes of cardio-pulmonary parameters until reaching the peak of work capacity. In one half of the patients we still found signs of cardial insufficiency at rest. After only slight physical work signs of cardiac insufficiency appeared also in the other half of patients.

[Pulmonary gas exchange after myocardial infarction in the late period of recovery. I. Investigation at rest]

In the late period of recovery after myocardial infarction (13-25 months p. infarctum) lung function of 23 patients was examined at rest. Spirometric values and parameters of pulmonary gas exchange showed alterations caused by pathological left ventricular function. Arterial Po2 was slightly decreased (chi=74.5 +/- 5.9 Torr), AaDo2 (chi=33.6 +/- 7.7 Torr) and aADco2 (chi=8.6 +/- 3.7 Torr) were increased. Pathological changes of arterial Pco2 (chi=40.6 +/- 2.5 Torr) were not observed. Mixed venous Po2 and cardiac output in 9 patients suggested cardiac failure. In a number of pulmonary parameters measured at rest correlations could prove a dependence on the patients physical work capacity.