[Myocardial inotropic function in patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases as evidenced by biventricular...

At present chronic obstructive lung diseases (COLD) occupy a prominent place in the morbidity and mortality of the adult population, with regarding the more and more increasing influence of aggressive environmental factors (sulfur dioxide, nitrogen, ozone, black smog and smoking). Due to the fact that clinical symptoms develop in patients with COLD at its late stages when there are irreversible changes in not only the bronchopulmonary apparatus, but, to a greater extent, the cardiovascular system; the efficiency of performed therapy is rather little. This shows it necessary to diagnose myocardial contractile disorders in such patients as soon as possible as the routine accessible cardiac study techniques (ECG, EchoCG) are of low informative value due to significant emphysema. In this view, of particular value is the use of radionuclide studies, including biventricular equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography that provides adequate information on the status of both ventricles.