The effects of high altitude on pulmonary hypertension of cardiopathies, at La Paz, Bolivia

Abstract

Summary. This investigation concerns a comparison of hemodynamic data derived from eleven patients without cardio-pulmonary disease, living at La Paz, Bolivia, an ten patients with a variety of cardiopathies common to that city. Alveolar hypoxia alone elevates mean pulmonary artery-pressure (MPAP) to 22.9 mm Hg. Mean total pulmonary vascular resistance (TPR) in the normal was 312 and mean pulmonary arteriolar resistance (PAR) 219 dynes / sec / cm-5. The corresponding values in patients with different cardiopathies were MPAP – 50.0 mm Hg; TPR – 527.5 and PAR – 524.6 dynes /se / cm-5 respectively. These differences were statistically significant. In two patients with Monge’s disease corresponding mean values were higher than in the patients with cariopathies, namely MPAP -51.5 mm Hg; TPVR – 668.5 and PAR – 568.5 dynes /sec/ cm-5 respectively. No significant differences emerged in respect of 1, cardiac outpunt, 2. right atrial pressure, 3. pulmonary capillary pressure, 4. systemic artery pressure, 5. systemic vascular resistance.