Abstract
Red‐cell volume (RCV) and plasma volume (PV) measurements were made in 15 patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema and related to the arterial oxygen tension (Po2) and the arterial carbon dioxide tension (Pco2) during the quiescent phase of the respiratory condition. It was found that the percentage increase in RCV was inversely related to the logarithm of the Po2 and that the change in RCV was similar to that of normal people living at various altitudes. The logarithm of Pco2 was directly related to the percentage increase in RCV and the Pco2 did not affect the erythropoietic response to hypoxia. The mean PV was significantly smaller than normal although increased in the two patients with heart failure. The relationship between the log Po2 and percentage change in PV did not reach significant levels. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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