[Diffusion disorders in patients with liver cirrhosis]

In 17 patients with cirrhosis of theliver and in 11 controls the pulmonary diffusing capacity for CO (DLCO) was determined at three different levels of alveolar oxygen tensions. The diffusing capacity of the alveolar membrane (DMCO) and the intra-pulmonary capillary volume (VC) were calculated following the formula given by Roughton and Forster. The following results were obtained: 1) Both DLCO and DMCO were lower (p less than 0,01) in the patient group than in the controls. 2) VC showed larger variations in thepatient group than in the controls (p less than 0,01). The mean values did not differ, however. 3) There was a significant linear correlation (p less than 0,001) between DM and 1/VC in the patient group (DM and VC in % of the predicted value). The results suggest, that a change in the configuration of the capillary bed may be responsible for the transfer defect found in cirrhosis.