[Changes in the acid-base equilibrium and the water-electrolyte balance during maximum aerobic work in patients with chronic broncho-pulmonary disease]

The Authors studied the behaviour of acid-base balance in subjects with chronic obstructive lung disease undergoing Maximal Aerobic Work following the method of Pasargiklian e Coll., 1955. For the research two different experimental pattern were adopted: 1) patients were subjected, in two different sessions, to the muscular work in room air and in hyperoxia (60%) breathing for the evaluation of acid-base balance. During hyperoxia Authors observed rising of paO2 and decrease of paCO2, pH and lactic acid concentration. 2) In the second pattern the muscular test was performed in room air only with the use of an antiphosphodiesterasic drug e.v. administration in each patient. Together with acid-base balance behaviour of plasmatic electrolytic assessment was controlled in order to evaluate adaptation to work. The data, although preliminary, show an increase of paO2 with decrease of paCO2 in both test; potassium and bicarbonates concentration increase more in the first test without theophyllin whereas this drug forbid these increments. The Authors even if the experimental program must be developed suggest that the evaluation of these data is interesting in diagnosis and prognosis in chronic lung disease for the cellular adaptation to work and offers interesting elements to carry on the rehabilitation of chronic obstructive lung disease.