[Correlations between respiratory function tests and hemodynamic studies in the decision of pneumonectomy]

We report a prospective study of 50 patients with chronic pulmonary pathology of diverse etiology and various grades of abnormality in Pulmonary mechanics and blood gases. In all patients we performed pulmonary function test and hemodynamic study with a Dotter-Lucas catheter with and without unilateral occlusion of pulmonary artery, at rest and during exercise. Our objective was to define if one or more parameters of routine pulmonary function test could allow us to predict the condition of pulmonary circulation, and therefore identify those patients at risk of pulmonary hypertension in whom pneumonectomy could be contraindicated and in this way avoid cardiac catheterization. We did not find any correlation between the grade of abnormality in pulmonary mechanics and the severity of pulmonary hypertension. On the other hand, all patients with severe pulmonary hypertension, that precluded pneumonectomy, had severe hypoxemia (PaO2 less than 50 mmHg); patients with moderate hypoxemia (PaO2 50-57 mmHg) had pulmonary hypertension of diverse grade, that could preclude or not, pneumonectomy. We conclude that this group of patients need to be catheterized to evaluate the indication of pneumonectomy.