[Hemodynamics and respiratory function in heart failure].
We discussed the pathophysiology of left-sided heart failure with special reference to the pulmonary "venous" system and further discussed the relationship between the capacitance of the pulmonary "venous" system and the pulmonary function. The slope of the pressure-volume line (compliance) in the pulmonary "venous" system was flat in NYHA class II and III patients as compared to class I. Elevated pulmonary "venous" pressure leads to a decrease in the compliance of the pulmonary "venous" system and consequently to a decrease in the static pulmonary compliance and this causes a respiratory dysfunction and an increase in the ventilation-perfusion imbalance. These changes may finally lead to an increase in the work of breathing, resulting in clinical symptoms such as dyspnea.
Hirakawa
S
S
Second Department of Internal Medicine, Gifu University School of Medicine.
Gotoh
K
K
Yagi
Y
Y
Sawa
T
T
Nagashima
K
K
D006333:Heart Failure / Q000145:classification / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D012119:Respiration