The effects of pulmonary infection on cardiorespiratory functions in chronic emphysema.

Investigations of cardiorespiratory functions in pulmonary diseases have in recent years contributed much to the understanding of the development of pulmonary heart disease. Harvey et al.’ in a recent publication have stressed the importance of anoxia in patients with chronic pulmonary emphysema as a cause for the deterioration of heart function. According to them, acute anoxia may precipitate the development of congestive heart failure and the relief of anoxia may bring about marked improvement in cardiac function. The main causes of acute anoxia may be bronchial obstruction and acute pulmonary infection. Two cases of emphysema were recently observed in which the development of acute pulmonary infection and anoxia was associated with congestive heart failure. Recovery from the infection and anoxia was accompanied by regression of the signs of congestive heart failure. In one case, also, the interesting effects of treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone on pulmonary functions in the different stages of pulmonary emphysema were recorded.