Pulmonary function tests in posthepatitic cirrhosis

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary function tests were studied in II patients with documented posthepatitic cirrhosis by liver biopsy as well as 20 matched healthy subjects. all the patients and the control subjects were non-smokers and their chest were clinically and radiologically free. The pulmonary function tests included Flow - Volume Loop [F/V Loop] before and after sulbutamol inhalation [bronchodilator] and diffusion studies. Front the F/V Loop the following measurements were calculated forced vital capacity [FVC], farced expiratory volume first second [FEVI], FEVI / FVC, Peak Expiratory Flow [PEF], Peak Inspiratory Flow [PIF] and Flow at 25 - 75% of vital capacity [F 25 - 75]. The diffusion studies included Pulmonary Diffusion Capacity for Carbon monoxide [DLco], Alveolar Volume [VA] and Diffusion Coefficient [Kco DLco/Va]. The results of this study showed a mild significant obstructive ventilatory pattern at the level of both small and large airways and a significant diffusion defet among posthepatitic patients