THE EFFECT OF ANEMIA ON THE ALVEOLAR-CAPILLARY EXCHANGE OF CARBON MONOXIDE IN MAN*

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Abstract
The diffusing capacity of the lung (Dl) was measured by the breath-holding CO technique in five patients with severe chronic anemia, but without evidence of significant lung disease, before and after their blood hemoglobin concentration was increased by transfusion. Simple pulmonary function studies showed an increase in residual volume but no significant airway obstruction or non-uniform distribution of inspired gas. DL prior to therapy was less than predicted in all five patients. The average interval between the measurements of DL in each patient was 9 days, in which time DL at an average alveolar O2 tension of 120 mm Hg had increased an average of 54%; at an average alveolar O2 tension of 250 mm Hg had increased an average of 95% and at an average alveolar O2 tension of 590 mm Hg had increased an average of 69%.