[Significance of van Merten's index in the diagnosis of ventilation-perfusion disorders and causes of respiratory insufficiency].

The ventilation-perfusion correlations were studied in 30 normal persons and in 60 patients with chronic heart and pulmonary diseases with the aid of van Marten's index (RCO2). It is shown that capnographic determination of the index is of paramount importance in the diagnosis of ventilation-perfusion disorders and of the causes of respiratory failure since the index rises only in patients with the clinical signs of obstructive ventilatory insufficiency.