[Alcohol and the lung. Anatomical and functional consequences]

The noxious effects of alcohol on the body are multiple. The lung is also a target organ in chronic alcoholic intoxication. The effects on the respiratory system may be divided into two groups: lowering of the defense functions of the respiratory system, especially to micro-organisms and a general depression of the immune system; decreased respiratory function sometimes associated with pronounced hypoxemia and decreased affinity of haemoglobin for oxygen especially during exercise. These patients have been shown to have an increased cardiac output, decreased pulmonary artery pressures and increased alveolar-capillary oxygen gradients, suggesting a porto-pulmonary shunt. From a practical point of view, hypoxemia in the alcoholic patients should not be misdiagnosed, since they can be functionally improved by domiciliary oxygen therapy.