title: [Early changes of respiratory function in mitral valve stenosis].
abstract: In order to detect early changes of respiratory function in patients affects by pure mitral valve stenosis, the authors selected 12 patients-non smokers, without symptoms of respiratory disease, of I and II NYHA class. In all subjects right and left cardiac catheterization and conventional spirometric measurements were performed. Then maximal mid-expiratory flow (MMEF), maximal expiratory flow at 50% of vital capacity (MEF 50%), maximal expiratory flow at 25% of vital capacity (MEF 25%), closing volume (CV) and closing capacity (CC) were determined, to find a small airways (bronchi of caliber inferior to 2 mm) disease. Whereas conventional spirometric measurements showed normal values, the small airways disease was proved by MEF 50% and MEF 25% measurements. The small airways obstruction observed by the authors may be due to: a) dilatation of pulmonary vessels because of venous congestion resulting in the compression of adjacent small airways; b) partial bronchiolar obstruction because of congestion of submucous venous plexus; c) interstitial oedema due to increase of extravascular pulmonary water because of pulmonary venous congestion.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008448:Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate; D008450:Maximal Midexpiratory Flow Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D008946:Mitral Valve Stenosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000503:physiopathology; D011667:Pulmonary Veins; D012119:Respiration; D013147:Spirometry; D014797:Vital Capacity
vernacular_title: Alterazioni precoci della funzione respiratoria nelle stenosi mitraliche