[Methodologic problems concerning pharmacology effect on bronchomotricity in asthma (Raw, V/V) (author's transl)]. / Problèmes méthodologiques pour apprécier l'action pharmacologique sur la bronchomotricité chez les asthmatiques à partir des mesures des Rva et des boucles V/V.

Study of spirometric, flow-rate and Raw modifications in three groups of 5 to 8 asthmatic patients (stage I or II) before and after acetylcholine and pneumallergen (dust) action is made. The same modifications were studied on the action of dust before and after a chemical protector effect. In two control groups the following parameters were verified: 1) the stability of Raw and V/V (normal subjects: 8); 2) the reproductibility of the acetylcholine bronchospasm, before and after the action of chemical protector (asthmatic patients: 11). Some considerations about the methodology in the practice of bronchomotricity data are submitted.

[Respiratory function profile in scleroderma. 20 cases (author's transl)]. / Profil fonctionnel respiratoire dans les sclérodermies.

This study involved 20 patients, 13 female and 7 male, with a mean age of 49 years, suffering from localized (6 cases) scleroderma or generalized without Raynaud's syndrome (6 cas), with Raynaud's syndrome (6 cas) or acrosclerosis (2 cases). Respiratory function tests included study of volumes, flow rates, CO transfer (TLCO) and blood gases. There were 38% normal chest X-rays, 58% ventilatory disturbances (predominance of restrictive syndrome and decrease in (TLCO) was found in only 25% of cases. The authors emphasize the extent of pulmonary vascular lesions in these patients.

Evaluation of the distribution of air and blood in emphysema patients using radioisotopic tracers.

Continuous recording of the respiratory cycle with the simultaneous or sequential radionucleic exploration (gamma camera) of ventilation (133Xe) and perfusion (MAT-99) was performed to determine the V/Q index in regional areas (Polaroid photography, mini-computer, memory visualization system, Benson incremental tracer, etc.) from the level of 1,024 points. An average ratio per sector was calculated and only three median sectors were retained. The wash-in and wash-out curves were traced by computer, and the calculation of the average T 1/2 for the different compartments of each median sector (apex--middle and base) was done in about 22 observations: in 18 diffuse emphysema, 11 of which were associated with giant cystic emphysema (spirometric, plethysmographic and radiographic data), T 1/2 values were greater than those of normal subjects (compartments C1 and C2) in diffuse emphysema and can become indefinable in zones of cystic emphysema. The values of the index V/Q approach the normal in diffuse emphysema with a tendency toward equalization of the ratios from the apex to the base. Extremely large divergence is observed in the elevated V/Q ratios in cystic emphysema.

[Epidemiologic study of chronic bronchitis in shipyard workers (selection of the most discriminating respiratory functional parameters)]. / Etude épidémiologique de la bronchite chronique chez les ouvriers de la construction navale (choix des paramètres fonctionnels respiratoires les plus discriminants)

Out of 1106 subjects working in shipyards, either building or repairing, an epidemiological survey showed that 7.8% had chronic bronchitis. The ratio varied according to the age groups (4.1% to 9.4% from 35 to 55 years) and smoking habit (1.2% in non smokers against 13.6% in heavy smokers). The study of ventilatory parameters in 169 subjects taken at random showed that various tests (VC, FEV1, FEV1/VC, MMFR, RV, RV/TLC, V at 60% TLC, Raw, TCO) did not have a specific value. In an epidemiological study simple measures (VC, FEV1, FEV1/VC, MMFR) taken by strong plain apparatus would be enough.

[Analysis of flow-volume curves in asthmatic patients and their application in pharmacodynamic tests (author's transl)]. / Etude analytique des boucles débit/volume chez les asthmatiques et de leur application lors d'épreuves pharmacodynamiques

Study of the influence of some parameters upon flow-volume curves and pressure-type body plethysmography during inhalation tests (acetylcholine; metaproterenol) in 10 asthmatic patients (5 males and 5 females). Although the specific conductance decreased when bronchoconstriction was induced and returned to values superior to those measured before provocation when a bronchodilator was administered, changes in specific conductance did not always parallel those of flow-volume curves (V/V), maximum expiratory volume/sec (VEMS) and mid-miximum expiratory flow rate (MMEFR). All the parameters of V/V used here are well correlated with VEMS and MMEFR but not so with the specific conductance. The inverse correlation between the time constants of V/V and residual/total pulmonary capacity (VR/CT) before provocation and the significant decrease after provocation, indicate that V 60 (or 70%) CT and V 75% vital capacity (CV) are most valuable for the evaluation of physiopathological ventilatory changes occurring in bronchoconstriction.

[Comparison in patients with chronic bronchitis of the data offered by the output-volume loop and the transfer capacity of CO]. / Confrontation des données de la boucle débit-volume et de la capacité de transfert du CO chez les bronchitiques chroniques

The present study concerns 78 cases of chronic bronchitis (mean age : 55,3 years) submitted to a complete enough functional respiratory study (spirometry, RV, blood gases) and distributed into three groups:--Group I: 78 cases, mean age : 55 years. All these patients were submitted to spirometry, blood gases determination and determination of the transfer capacity of CO (by making use of the method under single breath : 54 cases,--or the method with steady state : 24 cases).--Group II : 15 cases, mean age 54 years. All these patients were submitted to spirometry, blood gases determination, determination of the transfer capacity of CO with the method under single breath and to a determination of the V (60-70%) CT output on the output-volume loop.--Group III : 13 cases, mean age 53,9 years. All these patients were submitted to spirometry, blood gases determination, determination of the transfer capacity of CO with the method under steady state and a determination of the V (60-70%) CT output on the output-volume loop. The comparison of the data and the study of the eventual correlations between the various parameters determined suggests that the determination of the V (60-70 %) CT on the V/V loop is a more reliable parameter of the obstructive ventilatory syndrome than the determination of the disorders in the transfer capacity of CO. This latter method of study under steady state appears often modified when there exists an alveolar (as yet mentioned by other authors); however, this is not the case when the test is performed under single breath. In the detection of chronic bronchitis, the informations obtained with the determination of the V (60-70 %) CT output appear thus to assume a great value, but these results necessitate to be verified in a greater number of patients.

[Blood gas determination in the newborn infant (prognostic and therapeutic value)]. / Gazométries sanguines chez le nouveau-né (intérêt pronostique et thérapeutique)

A study of 55 blood gas determinations performed on the umbilical vein blood in the new-born (determinations of pH, SAO2, PaCO2, O2 vol% of total blood, CO2 vol% of total plasma, hemoglobin, hematocrit and, in some cases, PaO2). The cases include: 26 girls, 23 boys, issued from 9 primiparas (mean age: 25 years) and 40 multiparas (mean age: 28 years). In 18 of these cases, the parturient woman was administered oxygen. In 6 cases the delivery was complicated. The comparison of the data obtained by means of blood gas determination with the Apgar test evidences the value of the determination of these biological parameters. Authors insist on the necessity to make a functional respiratory study in the pregnany woman exhibiting a chronic respiratory deficiency, and to perform a blood gas determination and an oxygen-therapy (with an hyperoxygenated gas mixture -- O2 60% -- N2 40%) during the labour in order to avoid a fetal anoxia and its consequences, always redoubtable.