Angiography of the bronchial and pulmonary arteries in chronic non-specific lung diseases.

Examination of the bronchial artery system by means of contrast materials and pneumo-angiography has made it possible to determine the extent of the pathological process and to provide an answer to some of the problems raised by chronic non-specific diseases. When free passage is disturbed in the bronchi and alveolar ventilation is abolished, arterial blood will reach through the arterio-arterial anastomosis the branches of the pulmonary arteries, followed by a local hypertension in the affected region and a high oxygen saturation in the terminal branches of the pulmonary artery. In the case of bronchiectasis, the capillary circulation in the bronchial wall decreases because of the extension of the bronchial system which leads to the development of sclerosis and thus to a deterioration of the drainage function of the bronchus.