Problems of Pulmonary Circulation

This small book consists of a series of papers dealing with various aspects of hemodynamics in the macro-circulation of the lungs. The papers have little to say about the micro-circulation or the structure of the vessels themselves. Each paper is followed by a spirited discussion which proves to be a salubrious force against bias. The study group includes some of the most able and experienced investigators in the field. Its members represent an interesting balance between the clinical physiologist and the classical experimental physiologist. Dr. Andre Cournand, in his opening remarks as chairman, emphasizes the great value of the clinical physiologist's observations, then adds, "but it is important that these observations be then, analyzed by the experimental method." The authors present this balance of observation and experimentation, and integrate the data into principles of pulmonary circulation so successfully that the novice reader will gain an understanding in depth as well as breadth with a small expenditure of reading time. Various methods of assaying the hemodynamic phenomena of the pulmonary circulation are presented and a great deal of cogent discussion centers about the neuro, chemo, and humoral control of the pulmonary circulation. Perhaps the most exciting presentation is that of the group from Postgraduate Medical School who have developed the radioactive oxygen-i5 technique for estimating regional ventilation and perfusion. Although no more important than the other papers for the general field of pulmonary physiology, this is an interesting new technique which represents the conquest of a hitherto unsolved problem. FRANK D. GRAY, JR.