Cardiorespiratory Studies in Patients with Pulmonary Tuberculosis

Cardiorespiratory studies in 13 young females and 11 middle-aged men with localized acute pulmonary tuberculosis revealed evidence of significant resting hyperventilation and reduction in the dynamics of ventilation indicative of restrictive lung disease. Indices of intrapulmonary mixing and pulmonary diffusing capacities were normal, as were alveolar-arterial pCO₂ gradients.

The ventilation/perfusion ratios were slightly elevated in both groups, while pulmonary artery pressure and total pulmonary vascular resistance (TPVR) showed a rise in the males only.

Both groups showed an increase in actual QBF flows and a resultant significant decrease in arterial pO₂, which suggests that the areas of tuberculous infection are metabolically active.