Physiologic observations in diffuse pulmonary fibrosis and granulomatosis.

Abstract

exchange requires examination of several re­ lated problems. First, it is necessary to know how often diffuse pulmonary disease is associ­ ated with completely normal pulmonary func­ tion. Second, it should be determined whether patients exist with isolated physiologic defects in contradistinction to the more usual combina­ tions of abnormalities. Third, an attempt should be made to understand the relation­ ships existing among the several mechanical measurements (as between compliance and lung volume) and among the several gas ex­ change measurements (as between diffusing capacity and arterial oxygen saturation). And last, the relationships of certain mechanical measurements to the parameters of gas ex­ change should be scrutinized. Examination of these problems in 61 men with diffuse pul­ monary fibrosis or granulomatosis was the pur­ pose of this study. METHODS