[Value of hemodynamic exploration under exercise in chronic bronchitis]

Pulmonary haemodynamics was studied in the course of a calibrated exercise test on an ergometric cycle in 55 patients with chronic obstructive respiratory disease. Three groups of patients could be distinguished: absent pulmonary artery hypertension, both at rest and on exercise (group I), pulmonary artery hypertension on effort only (group II), permanent pulmonary hypertension, both on effort and at rest (group III). If adaptation of the cardiac output to exercise was identical in three groups and appeared to be normal, the relationship between pulmonary artery pressure and flow differed clearly from one group to another. Elements of orientation make it possible to foresee this latent pulmonary artery hypertension on the basis of rest gazometry and simple spirography data. The prognostic and aetiologic significations were discussed.