[The significance of leukotrienes in the development of ventilatory and hemodynamic lung disorders in chronic obstructive lung diseases].

82 patients aging 18-67 with chronic obstructive lung diseases have been examined. The control group consisted of 35 healthy persons. Ventilation have been assessed by "stream-volume" technique, pulmonary blood circulation was studied rheopulmographically, the content of lipoxygenase metabolites of arachidonic acid (leukotrienes B4 and C4D4E4) was determined by radioimmunoassay. All the patients were divided into three groups with regard to the degree of respiratory and heart failure: the first group--moderate ventilatory disorders, the second group--pronounced respiratory and initial heart failure, the third one--severe respiratory and heart failure. The content of leukotrienes of all classes was found to be increased mainly in patients of the second and third groups. Circulatory disorders manifested in pre- and postcapillary pulmonary hypertension. Leukotrienes' level, pulmonary hypertension and the degree of ventilatory disorders correlated closely.