[Time course of breath and blood alcohol concentration in disorders of lung function]

In order to examine the course of breath and blood alcohol concentration under the influence of disorders of pulmonary functions, tests were carried out on eight of each of the following groups: people without lung diseases, people with restrictive or obstructive lung diseases and people with lung over-flatulence. The oral ethanol intake consisted of 0.5 g/kg body weight in half an hour. The development of breath and blood alcohol concentration was determined by measurements over a period of three hours. During the absorption phase the breath alcohol concentration is greater than the blood alcohol concentration. This situation is reversed during the elimination phase. During the period of inflow, there is a higher alcohol concentration in the pulmonary circulation than in the peripheral-venous blood system. This is due to the distribution of ethanol. During the elimination phase the situation is reversed as the breakdown of alcohol occurs in the liver and this blood flows into the pulmonary system first. Within the framework of the given research conditions our examination results showed that there is no significant difference between directly and indirectly established blood alcohol concentration with regards to pulmonary disorders. By indirectly achieved measurements we mean measurements through breath alcohol. Given the relatively small number of test persons in our examinations further studies of the influence of pulmonary disorders seem necessary. These experiments would have to be carried out with a greater number of people or, alternatively with a higher alcohol intake in order not to overlook any possible, slight divergence from the rule.