[Exercise testing by spiroergometry in a patient with sarcoidosis stage II. An unusual combination of functional...

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease of unknown origin characterised by epitheloid cell granulomas in the lung and many other organs. The measurement of the alveolo-arterial O(2)-gradient (AaDO(2)) during exercise is the most sensitive method to detect the involvement of the lung with impairment of gas exchange. The method is suitable for follow-up observations to make the indication for a steroid therapy in the case of deterioration. In this case presentation using the 9-panel display proposed by Wasserman we diagnosed besides a slight impairment of the gas exchange a cardiocirculatory dysfunction with a reduction of the oxygen pulse and a reduced minute ventilation with a decrease of the alveolar ventilation. The hypoventilation could be explained by a weakness of the respiratory muscles or a reduction of the central respiratory drive. The functional disturbances could be diagnosed by spiroergometry without expensive or invasive methods. The findings should be examined more specifically with regard to therapeutic consequences.