Electrokymographic Studies of Lung Field Pulsations with Exhalation against Pressure

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Abstract
A study of electrokymo-grams obtained from the lung fields shows pulse waves which are interpreted as volume pulses of the pulmonary circulation. An apparatus was devised to create a resistance in ml. of water to occlude a valve. This valve was placed in the subject''s mouth and exhalation was against a pre-set resistance. The resistance used varied from 5 to 45 ml. During exhalation against pressure electrokymograms were obtained from the lung fields. 23 expts. were done on 22 individuals. In 18 expts. the effects consisted of a diminution of the amplitude of the pulse wave, with distortion to near obliteration of first 1 or 2 pulse waves in 9. In 5 cases no change occurred. Two cases were checked by heart catheteri-zation. It is suggested that the results might be related to pulmonary artery pressure.