La spirometria può essere considerata un utile indicatore delle alterazioni degli scambi gassosi polmonari nelle broncopneumopatie croniche ostruttive?

The purposes of this srudy were to investigate the mechanisms of gas exchange disturbances in patients affected by chronic obstructive pulrnonary disease by thc assessrnent of the distribution of ventilation-perfusion ratio (V/Q). We analyzed whcther the mechanisms responsible for the abnormalities of gas exchange, at least in part, are the same who are responsib1e for the impairment of airflow rates. Thus, we rclated the paramcters of ventilation- perfusion distribution with some spirometric indices. No significant correlaticns resulted in linear regression analyses betwecn spircrnetric inclices and incrt gas elimination pararneters initiaJly. After treatment, there was a gooel correlation between FEVl anel Vmax 50% and some paramctcrs of ventilation distribution from inert gases. Different pathogenetic mcchanisms seern to bc responsible for impaired gas exchange and air flow rates bcfore treatment (inOammation and mucus plugging). After trcatmcnt, the recovering of the large airways properties improved ihe distribution of vcntilation and hcnce the rceluced V/Q heterogcncity could be prcdicted from spirometry.