[Right ventricular function in chronic obstructive pneumopathy with pulmonary cardiopathy. A study at the altitude of Mexico City (2240 meters)].

Hemodynamic studies at rest, at exercise and during oxygen breathing (FiO2 99.6%) were carried out in 12 patients with severe chronic obstructive lung disease and cor pulmonale without congestion (NOCA). All lived in Mexico city (2,240 meters). Our data confirm the concept of a spectrum of ventricular behaviour, from normal to the one when right ventricular pressure abnormalities exist and blood flow is restricted. The right ventricular stroke work index was considerably higher due mainly to the increase in pressure work. Grossly right ventricular performance at altitude is not different from the described at sea level. When stroke index (SI) is related to the right ventricular end diastolic pressure (RVEDP), patients with NOC at sea level show depressed right ventricular function. This relation was different for NOC-A and it could be related indirectly to higher altitude. On the basis of the relation found for SI-RVEDP at our altitude we could not conclude that NOC-A show depressed right ventricular function.