[Plasma amino acid changes in 40 cases of chronic cor pulmonale]

Serum amino acid determinations were made in 40 patients with chronic cor pulmonale in the period of 1985-1987 in our hospital. There were slight type 14 cases. severe type 26 cases (including pulmonary encephalopathy 10 cases). In severe type the ratio of branched chain amino acid to aromatic amino acid (BACC/AAA) was significantly lower than normal (P less than 0.01) and there was significant negative correlation between PaCO2 and BCAA/AAA (r = -0.49 P less than 0.05). The plasma amino acid pattern in severe type cor pulmonale is similar to that found in hepatic encephalopathy. The mechanism of coma in cor pulmonale is at least in some degree, similar with that of hepatic encephalopathy.