[Central hemodynamics of patients during an attack of bronchial asthma]

The authors presented the results of a combined study of 100 patients with infectious-allergic bronchial asthma. During and after attacks of asphyxia parameters of central hemodynamics and pressure in the lesser circulation system were defined. The patients were divided into 3 groups with relation to cardiac output values. An increase in cardiac output and pressure elevation in the right ventricle were noted in the 1st group, the values of pressure of pulmonary artery obstruction slightly raised. The absence of a marked increase in cardiac output was observed in the 2nd group, however pressure in the arterial system of the lesser circulation increased in the period of asphyxia. A decrease in cardiac output and an increase in pressure in the system of the pulmonary artery were noted in the patients of the 3rd group during asthmatic attacks. Such changes in the hemodynamics of the patients with bronchial asthma during attacks of asphyxia led to an idea of a possible favorable reaction of the cardiovascular system in the 1st group, maximum effort of compensatory capabilities in the 2nd group and depletion of reserve function of the cardiovascular system in the 3rd group. An elevation of pressure of pulmonary artery obstruction in the patients of the 2nd and 3rd groups confirmed a possibility of development not only of right but also left ventricular circulatory insufficiency during an attack of bronchial asthma.