Effects of pulmonary hemodynamics on lung function in adult patients with atrial septal defect

To clarify the relationship of pulmonary function with differing severity of atrial septal defect (ASD) and to assess the effects of pulmonary hemodynamics on these functions, we classified 101 patients with adult ASD by their pulmonary arterial mean pressure (PAm) and pulmonary blood flow (Qp), and compared details of pulmonary functions between pairs of groups. Classification was by drawing lines at the PAm of 20 mmHg and the Qp of 10 L/min. Group I was the low pressure-low flow group, Group II the low pressure-high flow group, Group III the high pressure-low flow group, and Group IV the high pressure-high flow group. Vital capacity as the percentage of predicted (%VC) was low in Groups III and IV. There were no significant differences in the ratio of forced expiratory volume in one second to forced vital capacity (FEV1%), flow at 25% forced vital capacity and closing volume as the percentage of predicted (%V25, %CV/VC) between each group. Both maximum midexpiratory flow rate and flow rate at 50% forced vital capacity as the percentage of predicted (%MMEF, %V50) in Group III with the most severe ASD, were significantly low. Pulmonary diffusing capacities for carbon monoxide as the percentage of predicted (%DLco) exceeded 100% in all groups, and tended to decrease with increases of PAm without relation to Qp. Pulmonary dysfunctions in adult ASD were mainly due to restrictive changes accompanied by obstructive change in proportion to the decrease of VC. Peripheral airway obstructions are mild in ASD and these might be caused by lower pressure of left atrium and no existence of pulmonary venous congestion in ASD, even in the most severe group.