STUDIES OF RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY IN CHILDREN. VI. LUNG DIFFUSING CAPACITY, DIFFUSING CAPACITY OF THE PULMONARY MEMBRANE AND PULMONARY CAPILLARY BLOOD VOLUME IN CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE*

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Abstract
Studies of total lung diffusing capacity, diffusing capacity of the pulmonary membrane and pulmonary capillary blood volume, using the 10-second carbon monoxide technique, were performed in 34 patients with congenital heart disease. Patients with increased pulmonary blood flow or increased mean pulmonary wedge pressure or both tended to have a significant increase in total lung diffusing capacity, diffusing capacity of the pulmonary membrane and pulmonary capillary blood volume. Patients with normal or decreased pulmonary blood flow had normal or slightly decreased pulmonary capillary blood volume and diffusing capacity of the pulmonary membrane. When patients with increased pulmonary blood flow had surgical correction of their malformation, the total lung diffusing capacity, diffusing capacity of the pulmonary membrane and pulmonary capillary blood volume usually returned to normal. Exercise studies in one patient with a left to right shunt and a high pulmonary capillary blood volume suggested that the pulmonary capillaries may increase in volume still further.