[Effect of transcutaneous stimulation of diaphragm on systemic and central hemodynamics in patients with chronic bronchitis].

25 males and 5 females suffering from chronic obstructive bronchitis (COB) underwent transcutaneous diaphragmatic electrostimulation (TDE). As shown by central intrapulmonary hemodynamics, those patients who had no circulatory decompensation benefited from TDE. There was a decrease in the pulmonary hypertension, intensification of general hemodynamics, reduced tonicity of the pulmonary arteriolar bed, improvement of right ventricular function. In circulatory decompensation TDE may cause deterioration of right ventricular function, enhancement of circulation decompensation against unchanged pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary-arteriolar tonicity. The changes in pulmonary artery pressure, total pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary-arteriolar elasticity observed after a single TDE session may prompt the validity of further COB treatment according to the above regimen.