[Ventilation and pulmonary perfusion in chronic obstructive airways disease under Fominoben author's transl]

In 20 patients with chronic obstructive airways disease the distribution of ventilation and perfusion was measured by means of scintigraphy before and after giving Fominoben, a new respiratory stimulant substance. Perfusion and ventilation which in most patients were preferentially distributed to the apices of the lung could be redistributed to a considerable degree to the lower lung zones in 17 patients (perfusion) and 13 patients (ventilation) respectively. In 4 of the 7 patients where the recaudalisation of both perfusion and ventilation was not observed both parameters remained unchanged or moved both further to the apex. The reasons for the preferential perfusion and ventilation in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease and the mechanism of the redistribution under Fominoben are discussed. The question of autoregulation of ventilation and perfusion is shortly dealt with.