Follow-up of pulmonary function after "shock lung".

Long-term follow-up of pulmonary function has been performed in four patients having recovered from "shock lung". In three patients there is a progressive normalization of lung volumes and lung compliance, whereas the pulmonary diffusing capacity improves but without attaining predicted levels. In the fourth patient, a delayed reduction of total lung capacity, lung compliance and diffusion capacity occurred. During the follow-up period (from one month to four years) there was no complaint and physical examination, electrocardiogram, chest roentgenogram, conventional pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy and arterial blood gases at rest were quite normal. These results are compatible with the persistence of some degree of interstitial lung disease after recovery from "shock lung".