[Personal studies of threshold values in planimetric measurements of pulmonary pressure]

Assessment of the pulmonary pressure is of importance in cardiopulmonary diseases, the most exact data are achieved with direct measurements. However, this invasive technique, which is rarely available. Therefore, the authors have elaborated the radiological technique of pulmonary pressure assessment, based on chest X-rays. Eighty patients were examined radiologically, and pulmonary pressure was evaluated planimetrically by measurements of the intermediate artery and both arteries of the anterior upper segments diameters on X-ray. These results were compared with the measurements obtained with microcatheterization technique. The authors recommend planimetric measurements for usual practice and screening of larger number of patients.