[Changes in the regional indices of ventilation and perfusion in lung cancer patients during treatment]

A total of 27 patients with central lung cancer and 43 patients with peripheral lung cancer of various sites were examined after surgical intervention on a multichannel unit using 133Xe. The regional distribution of alveolar ventilation and perfusion blood flow were evaluated in the preoperative period as well as at varying times after operation. Statistical analysis of the results has shown that a significant decrease in the ventilation and blood flow is observed in the zone with a focus of lesion in the preoperative period. At the same time even in the preoperative period of compensatory increase in the ventilation and blood flow occurs in the lower zone of the contralateral lung. An increase in the ventilation and blood flow in all the zones of the remaining lung is observed after pulmonectomy; lobectomy does not change pulmonary function and the operated lung does not regenerate its function. No distinctions in the regional values of the ventilation/perfusion ratio were revealed during treatment. Regional perfusion and ventilation are changed in one direction, their ratio and hence the gaseous composition of the blood remain unchanged.