Total Amount Of Hemoglobin Research Articles

Restructuring of erythropoiesis and immune status in hypotrophic calves with comorbid pathologies based on the use of aminoseleferon-B

The article presents the results of comparative therapeutic efficacy of a complex biogenic drug aminoseleferon-B based on recombinant interferons on Holstein calves with hypotrophy and comorbid pathology (anemia, immunodeficiency) in the neonatal period. According to the principle of pairanalogues, four groups of 6 individuals (hypotopic calves with comorbid pathology) were formed and the fifth – 6 normotrophic calves. The calves of the first experimental group were administered aminoseleton, the calves of the second experimental group - biferon-B, the calves of the third experimental group - the drug aminoseleferon-B. The drugs were administered subcutaneously, three times on days 1, 3 and 30 at a dose of 1 ml per 10 kg of animal weight. The calves of the fourth experimental group - negative control and the calves of the fifth group - positive control, the studied drugs were not used. The use of aminoseleferon-B leads to an earlier stabilization (on day 7 of our studies) of the morphological and immunological blood composition, whereas in the comparison groups, the studied indicators were optimized on day 30. In the animals of the 3rd experimental group, the level of erythrocytes increased by 9.3% and 6.4% compared to those in hypotrophic calves, a similar pattern was noted in the amount of total hemoglobin - increased by 13.7% and 7.7%. Humoral and cellular links of nonspecific protection were restored in the calves of the 3rd experimental group, due to normalization of serum compliment, lysozyme and bacterial activity, phagocytic index and number. The use of aminoseleferon-B in the treatment of polymorbid pathology (anemia, immunodeficiency) in calves with hypotrophy has a pathogenetically mediated mechanism of action and a pronounced anti-anemic and immunomodulatory effect that together improves the state of the calves body during early neonatal adaptation.

Photoacoustic imaging for the study of oxygen saturation and total hemoglobin in bone healing and non-union formation

Non-union formation represents a major complication in trauma surgery. Adequate vascularization has been recognized as vital for bone healing. However, the role of vascularization in the pathophysiology of non-union formation remains elusive. This is due to difficulties in studying bone microcirculation in vivo. Therefore, we herein studied in a murine osteotomy model whether photoacoustic imaging may be used to analyze vascularization in bone healing and non-union formation. We found that oxygen saturation within the callus tissue is significantly lower in non-unions compared to unions and further declines over time. Moreover, the amount of total hemoglobin (HbT) within the callus tissue was markedly reduced in non-unions. Correlation analyses showed a strong positive correlation between microvessel density and HbT, indicating that photoacoustically determined HbT is a valid parameter to assess vascularization during bone healing. In summary, photoacoustic imaging is a promising approach to study vascular function and tissue oxygenation in bone regeneration.

Tomographic Ultrasound Imaging in the Diagnosis of Breast Tumors under the Guidance of Deep Learning Algorithms.

This study was aimed to discuss the feasibility of distinguishing benign and malignant breast tumors under the tomographic ultrasound imaging (TUI) of deep learning algorithm. The deep learning algorithm was used to segment the images, and 120 patients with breast tumor were included in this study, all of whom underwent routine ultrasound examinations. Subsequently, TUI was used to assist in guiding the positioning, and the light scattering tomography system was used to further measure the lesions. A deep learning model was established to process the imaging results, and the pathological test results were undertaken as the gold standard for the efficiency of different imaging methods to diagnose the breast tumors. The results showed that, among 120 patients with breast tumor, 56 were benign lesions and 64 were malignant lesions. The average total amount of hemoglobin (HBT) of malignant lesions was significantly higher than that of benign lesions (P < 0.05). The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of TUI in the diagnosis of breast cancer were 90.4%, 75.6%, 81.4%, 84.7%, and 80.6%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of breast cancer were 81.7%, 64.9%, 70.5%, 75.9%, and 80.6%, respectively. In addition, for suspected breast malignant lesions, the combined application of ultrasound and tomography can increase the diagnostic specificity to 82.1% and the accuracy to 83.8%. Based on the above results, it was concluded that TUI combined with ultrasound had a significant effect on benign and malignant diagnosis of breast cancer and can significantly improve the specificity and accuracy of diagnosis. It also reflected that deep learning technology had a good auxiliary role in the examination of diseases and was worth the promotion of clinical application.

The role of linoleic acid in oxidative damage of hemoglobin due to cytomegelavirus infection during pregnancy

The goalis to study the mechanisms of linoleic acid-dependent oxidative damage to hemoglobin in blood erythrocytes of pregnant women with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during the first trimester.Materials and methods. The study included 55 CMV-seropositive pregnant women at 8–11 weeks pregnant, aged 24,7 ± 0,18 years. 20 women had exacerbated cytomegalovirus infection and in 35 women a latent course of the disease was observed. The control group consisted of 20 CMV-seronegative pregnant women, comparable in age and gestational age with the group of pregnant women with cytomegalovirus infection. The levels of linoleic acid, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and methemoglobin in the blood were studied by the spectrophotometry. Glutathione was determined by histochemical methods, the total amount of hemoglobin was measured using the automatic hematological analyzer, and hydrogen peroxide level was calculated by enzyme immunoassay.Results. In cytomegalovirus infection, an increase in the indices of exogenous hydrogen peroxide and linoleic acid in blood erythrocytes of pregnant women is observed. During the period of acute disease in the first trimester of pregnancy it causes oxidative modification and a decrease in the level of not only superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione, the processes involved in the redox regulation of thiol-disulfide exchange of erythrocytes, but also hemoglobin with formation of large amount of methemoglobin, which contributes to reduction of oxygen metabolism and development of hemic hypoxia. In the latent course of the disease, the oxidative damage to hemoglobin in the erythrocytes of pregnant women is mitigated by the increase in the activity of redox enzymes, which maintains oxygen homeostasis at the level necessary for the development of pregnancy.

Correction for the Hematocrit Bias in Dried Blood Spot Analysis Using a Nondestructive, Single-Wavelength Reflectance-Based Hematocrit Prediction Method.

The hematocrit (Hct) effect is one of the most important hurdles currently preventing more widespread implementation of quantitative dried blood spot (DBS) analysis in a routine context. Indeed, the Hct may affect both the accuracy of DBS methods as well as the interpretation of DBS-based results. We previously developed a method to determine the Hct of a DBS based on its hemoglobin content using noncontact diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Despite the ease with which the analysis can be performed (i.e., mere scanning of the DBS) and the good results that were obtained, the method did require a complicated algorithm to derive the total hemoglobin content from the DBS's reflectance spectrum. As the total hemoglobin was calculated as the sum of oxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and hemichrome, the three main hemoglobin derivatives formed in DBS upon aging, the reflectance spectrum needed to be unmixed to determine the quantity of each of these derivatives. We now simplified the method by only using the reflectance at a single wavelength, located at a quasi-isosbestic point in the reflectance curve. At this wavelength, assuming 1-to-1 stoichiometry of the aging reaction, the reflectance is insensitive to the hemoglobin degradation and only scales with the total amount of hemoglobin and, hence, the Hct. This simplified method was successfully validated. At each quality control level as well as at the limits of quantitation (i.e., 0.20 and 0.67) bias, intra- and interday imprecision were within 10%. Method reproducibility was excellent based on incurred sample reanalysis and surpassed the reproducibility of the original method. Furthermore, the influence of the volume spotted, the measurement location within the spot, as well as storage time and temperature were evaluated, showing no relevant impact of these parameters. Application to 233 patient samples revealed a good correlation between the Hct determined on whole blood and the predicted Hct determined on venous DBS. The bias obtained with Bland and Altman analysis was -0.015 and the limits of agreement were -0.061 and 0.031, indicating that the simplified, noncontact Hct prediction method even outperforms the original method. In addition, using caffeine as a model compound, it was demonstrated that this simplified Hct prediction method can effectively be used to implement a Hct-dependent correction factor to DBS-based results to alleviate the Hct bias.

Calibration and evaluation of a continuous wave multi-distance NIRS system in simulated desaturation investigations

The venous oxygen saturation reflects pathophysiological changes in oxygen delivery and consumption, where the saturation range beneath 50% may represent a clinical borderline to avoid irreversible damage. We present a model to simulate a desaturation investigation with 4 plateaus (PL1 = 99 ± 0.3%; PL2 = 75 ± 3%; PL3 = 50 ± 3%, PL4 = 25 ± 3%). A continuous wave multi-distance near-infrared spectroscopy sensor (wavelengths: 770, 808 and 850 nm; 6 photodiodes (PD1−6), linearly arranged, separated 6 mm each) was equipped to detect the saturation at these plateaus. The study was divided in 5 calibration experiments (1 day; 5 per day) and 25 experiments (5 days; 5 per day) with the calibrated sensor unit. The detected saturation was compared with the reference values from the CO-Oximetry unit (IL-682) while keeping the amount of total hemoglobin (tHb) and the other physiological parameters at constant levels (tHb = 12 ± 0.3 g dl−1, blood temperature = 35.5 ± 0.6 °C, carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) = 39 ± 6 mmHg, glucose = 103 ± 9 mg dl−1 and pH 7.4 ± 0.04). The oxygen saturation, in the range from 99% to 20%, could be detected reproducible with a mean absolute deviation of 3%.

Detection of the venous oxygen saturation in an oxygenation and perfusion model

The oxygenation, perfusion and metabolism of the brain—segmented in both hemispheres—can be estimated from the oxygenation and hemoglobin levels of the venous blood in the cerebral efferent vessels. We present a phantom based model to simulate the anatomical target region which was connected to hemodynamic perfusion circuit to provide different oxygenation plateaus inside of the simulated target vessel. A developed triple-wavelength (770, 808 and 850 nm) multi-distance near-infrared spectroscopy sensor (6 photodiodes (PD1–6), linearly arranged, separated 6 mm each) was equipped to detect these different saturation levels. The saturation could be triggered to three consecutively passed plateaus (PL1 = 55 ± 3%; PL2 = 100 ± 0.3%; PL3 = 55 ± 3%) for all 90 experiments (30 measurements per wavelength (3 d; 10 d−1)) while keeping the amount of total hemoglobin (tHb) and the other physiological blood parameters at constant levels (tHb = 11.8 ± 0.2 g dl−1, blood temperature = 35.5 ± 0.5 °C, carbon dioxide partial pressure (pCO2) = 44 ± 6 mmHg, Glucose = 99 ± 8 mg dl−1 and pH 7.35 ± 0.04). The saturation plateaus inside of the target vessel could be detected reproducibly with the presented setup.

Study on Physiological Indexes during Mental Focus Task -Comparison between Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, Electroencephalography, Heart Rate Variability and Peripheral Arterial Tonometry-

In this research, we focused on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) as an alternative technique for mental state analysis, and compared its performance with other conventional techniques such as electroencephalography (EEG), heart rate variability (HRV), and peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) during stress and healing task. In our experiment, we measured biological signals during stress or healing simultaneously with those techniques for comparison. Our NIRS results showed that the amount of total hemoglobin (totalHb) in the frontal cortex was increased during stress task, and that it decreased during healing task. Conventional physiological analysis techniques such as EEG and HRV, however, showed inconsistent results during tasks. Only PAT gave the consistent results in many of subjects. Our results suggested that NIRS and PAT might have correlation to mental stress, and can be useful to analyze stress condition.

Multi-channel near-infrared spectroscopy detects specific inferior-frontal activation during incongruent Stroop trials

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is an optical method, which allows non-invasive in vivo measurements of changes in the concentration of oxygenated (O 2Hb) and deoxygenated (HHb) hemoglobin in brain tissue. In the present study we investigated 10 healthy subjects by means of multi-channel NIRS (Optical Topography; ETG-100, Hitachi Medical Co., Japan) during performance of congruent and incongruent trials of the Stroop color word task. With a similar pattern of activation for both congruent and incongruent Stroop trials in the NIRS channels located left superior-frontally, the results for O 2Hb and the total amount of hemoglobin (Hb-tot) indicate specific activation for interference trials in inferior-frontal areas of the left hemisphere. This result is in line with several neuroimaging studies (fMRI, PET) that have already investigated the frontal activation related to Stroop interference, which further supports the assumption that multi-channel NIRS is sensitive enough to detect spatially specific activation during the performance of cognitive tasks.

Influence of mastication on the amount of hemoglobin in human brain tissue

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of mastication on the amount of hemoglobin in human brain tissue. Nine healthy volunteers (6 males and 3 females) participated in this study. They underwent two tasks: 1) at rest, 2) gum-chewing. In seven of the nine (4 males and 3 females), experimental occlusal interference was applied to the first molar of the mandibule on the habitual masticatory side. They underwent the gum-chewing task. To evaluate the amount of hemoglobin, both the hemoglobin oxygenation state and blood volume during gum-chewing were measured in the frontal region, using near-infrared spectroscopy. The amount of total-hemoglobin (blood volume) and oxyhemoglobin of subjects significantly increased during gum-chewing (p < 0.01). When the subjects finished gum-chewing, both levels returned to the original levels. When experimental occlusal interference was imposed on the subject, the amount of them significantly decreased compared with subjects without experimental occlusal interference (p < 0.05). The results suggested that increases of cerebral blood flow in the frontal region were not due to the mandibular movement, and that human brain activity caused by mastication was not only in the cortical masticatory area but also in the frontal region.

Methodologic considerations in the interpretation of postmortem carboxyhemoglobin concentrations

The interpretation of postmortem carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations can have major implications even when COHb is not the direct cause of death. Much litigation may hinge on the length of time an individual was alive during the fire. Therefore, the reliability of an analytical method to measure COHb, ranging from low to sub-lethal levels, is critical to the proper interpretation of results. This study used 40 blood specimens from fire deaths and 15 blood specimens from non-fire deaths to compare COHb levels obtained from a spectrophotometric method (IL 482 CO-Oximeter; CO-Ox) with a reference gas Chromatographic method (GC). Since spectrophotometric methods are influenced by the amount of total hemoglobin (Hb) present in the blood, multiple saline dilutions of specimens were performed to yield Hb as low as lg/dl. For GC COHb concentrations < 5% and Hb ≥ 4g/dl, the average and median ratios of CO-Ox COHb to GC COHb concentrations were 2.8 and 2.6 respectively. These ratios were 8.0 and 6.8 respectively when Hb < 4g/dl. At GC COHb levels ranging from 5 to 40% and Hb ≥ 4g/dl, the average and median ratios were 1.6 and 1.0 respectively. These ratios were correspondingly 2.1 and 1.9 when Hb < 4 g/dl. These data clearly indicate COHb can be influenced by the analytical methods used.

Initial results of postmortem diagnosis of diabetes mellitus by Hb A1 determination

Ensuring the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus by morphological findings is very difficult. Postmortem determination of blood glucose is of no value because of the influence of glycolysis. In clinical studies, Hb A1 determination is used for long-time therapy control of diabetes. Values of less than 10% Hb A1 show that assimilation of glucose is in order. This study is based on the investigation of blood from 174 cadavers (125 men aged between 17 and 84 years; 49 women aged between 27 and 89 years) with many different causes of death, including some cases of coma diabeticum. Blood was frozen immediately; in 48 cases it was stored at +4 degrees C, too. Besides, we took cerebrospinal fluid and urine from each corpse (frozen at -80 degrees C) for determination of glucose, lactic acid, and acetone. Hemoglobin A1 was analyzed by a chromatographic method: the concentrations of Hb A1 ranged from 7.5% to 20% independent of the actual amount of total hemoglobin in our samples (total Hb from 5 to 32 g/dl). Obviously, there is very little influence of autolysis or prefinal glucose fluctuations in blood on its quantity. There is a positive correlation to the concentration of glucose and lactic acid in cerebrospinal fluid (according to the formula of Traub) and also to the presence of acetone in case of diabetic coma. According to our experience, Hemoglobin A1 is a very useful marker to ensure the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus post mortem. As Hb A1 seems to be very constant and stable vs. autolysis, it may help to clear up cases of unexpected death.

Changes in central circulation in premenopausal women during application of an estradiol valerate-norgestrel combination (Cyclabil).

The orthostatic circulatory reaction, the physical working capacity on a bicycle ergometer, the indirectly measured blood pressure at rest and after the ergometer test, the total hemoglobin content, blood volume and the heart volume in supine position were all determined on three separate occasions in the 17 premenopausal women who were taking an estrogen-progestogen combination as premenopausal substitution (2 mg estradiol valerate and 0.5 mg norgestrel, CyclabilR, Schering AG). Twelve women not receiving steroid treatment served as controls. The examinations were performed once prior to the commencement of the medication and 6 and 12 months thereafter. The orthostatic pulse reaction, the physical working capacity, the total amount of hemoglobin and heart volume did not change during the 12 months. Heart volume increased in both groups but there was no difference between the groups. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased slightly in the treated group during the first months but returned towards the initial values at 12 months. The transitory blood pressure increase when using the estrogen-progestogen combination in the premenopause during 12 months is similar to that earlier reported in younger women taking low-dose steroid contraceptives (8). It is conceivable that an adaptative mechanism in the vascular system will work in both situations.

Fetal Erythropoiesis and Hemoglobin Ontogeny in Tail-Short (Ts/ +) Mutant Mice

AbstractMutant Ts/ + fetuses are developmentally retarded as compared to normal + / + littermates. Mutant fetuses have less total hemoglobin than do normal fetuses of the same gestational age. However, when compared to + / + fetuses of similar body weight. Ts/ + fetuses have the appropriate amount of total hemoglobin, suggesting that the apparent anemia observed in mutant fetuses is most likely the result of delay in growth and development. Changes in proportions of embryonic hemoglobins during fetal development are similar in Ts/ + and + / + fetuses at day 12 and later of gestation. Moreover, adult hemoglobin is detected in circulating primitive nucleated erythrocytes in the developmentally retarded Ts/ + mutant fetuses at about the same chronologic age as their + / + normal littermates.

Fetal erythropoiesis and hemoglobin ontogeny in tail-short (Ts/+) mutant mice

Mutant Ts/+ fetuses are developmentally retarded as compared to normal +/+ littermates. Mutant fetuses have less total hemoglobin than do normal fetuses of the same gestational age. However, when compared to +/+ fetuses of similar body weight, Ts/+ fetuses have the appropriate amount of total hemoglobin, suggesting that the apparent anemia observed in mutant fetuses is most likely the result of delay in growth and development. Changes in proportions of embryonic hemoglobins during fetal development are similar in Ts/+ and +/+ fetuses at day 12 and later of gestation. Moreover, adult hemoglobin is detected in circulating primitive nucleated erythrocytes in the developmentally retarded Ts/+ mutant fetuses at about the same chronologic age as their +/+ normal littermates.

Vacuum aspiration at therapeutic abortion: blood loss at operation in multigravid women.

Therapeutic abortion by vacuum aspiration in the first trimester was carried out on 129 healthy multigravid women. The loss of haemoglobin at operation was estimated and the volume of blood calculated. The figures were compared to those in a group of primigravid women earlier reported. Blood loss increases with gestational length. Blood loss at first trimester abortion is smaller in multigravid than in primigravid women. In multigravid women blood loss is not significantly influenced by the woman's age and the number of pregnancies.

Circulatory adjustments to dynamic exercise and effect of physical training in normal subjects and in patients with coronary artery disease

D URING the past decade, exercise tests and physical training programs have been used with increasing frequency in the diagnosis and management of coronary artery disease (CAD). Even though severe restrictions in physical activity were previously recommended to such patients, training studies have demonstrated that properly executed training programs effectively improve the exercise tolerance in the majority of CAD patients’ -I3 while incurring only small risks.r2*r4 Furthermore, exercise tests performed according to a suitable protocol provide valuable diagnostic information about the functional capacity of the cardiovascular system and form a rational basis for recommendations on physical activity in these patients.” Studies of the cardiovascular adjustments to exercise and training have mainly been concerned with central circulatory parameters. Prerequisite to a high level of endurance performance is a great capacity of the oxygen transport system. For example, maximal oxygen uptake has been correlated to heart volume, blood volume, and the total amount of hemoglobin.16*r7 Moreover, the cardiac stroke volume (SV) appears to be a functional circulatory parameter that most clearly separates well trained athletes from sedentary subjects.r’ The finding that SV increases in response to training 19J20 has focused attention on the importance of the heart as a pump. The opinion that improved circulatory adjustment to submaximal exercise and increased maximal aerobic capacity are both related to primary central cardiovascular adaptations has thus prevailed. Recent evidence however, suggests this cause and effect concept may not be valid, and it is now recognized that the effects of training are not limited to the central circulation.21 In this context,

Physical work capacity and physical conditioning in paraplegic patients.

In a group of patients with chronic spinal cord injury at the C5-L1 level, the total amount of haemoglobin (THb), the blood volume and the arm work capacity were measured. In 10 of the patients with clinically complete transections at C5-L1, the effects of conditioning exercises with the upper limbs were estimated.THb in the male patients was 9.46 ± 1.63 (mean, S.D., n = 13) g./kg. body weight which is less than normal (P < 0.05). In the female patients it was 7.57 ± 1.47 (n = 4) g./kg. body weight. Eight patients had significantly lower THb than expected from their body weight and length.The blood volume in male patients was 5.15 ± 0.82 (n = 13) litres; in females, it was 3.68 (range 3.0-4.2, n = 4) litres. In 11 of the 17 patients the blood volume was significantly less than expected from the body weight and length.The maximal arm work capacity, as estimated from an exercise test using arm cycling in the sitting posture, was low as compared with that of healthy individuals. In two patients with spinal injury at cervical levels, the heart rate increased to 100-130 beats/minute during maximal effort. In the rest (T4-L1), heart rates of 145-180 beats/minute were reached.After the training, four or five times a week for six weeks, THb and blood volumes were not changed significantly but the mean arm work performance (arm-PWC170, 150 or max.) increased from 40.2 ± 27.3 watts to 56.5 ± 30.6 watts, which is significant (P < 0.02). There was no improvement in the three patients with lesions at C5-T6. All the others (T6-L1) increased their work performance; the mean increase was 50 per cent.

Cardiovascular function in extreme obesity.

Abstract Cardiovascular function in 19 patients with obesity has been studied by electrocardiography (ECG), exercise test, determination of heart and blood volumes, and right heart catheterization. Pathological ECG findings appeared in one patient at rest and during exercise, and in another only during exercise. Blood volume was low in relation to body weight, but hemoglobin concentration was normal. Heart volume and stroke volume were normally related to the total amount of hemoglobin (THb), while the working capacity (W170) in eight cases was low in relation to THb. The cardiac output was found to be normal when related to the oxygen intake both at rest and during exercise. There was a statistically significant linear relationship between intravascular pressures and cardiac output. Brachial artery pressures and left ventricle filling pressure were significantly elevated at rest and during exercise, while pulmonary artery pressures and end‐diastolic pressure of the right ventricle showed a statistically significant steeper rise with increase in cardiac output than normally found. It is concluded that the circulatory dimensions and the cardiac output reflect an adequate adaptation to the metabolic demands laid upon the circulation in obesity. The elevated filling pressures of the ventricles and the high systemic and pulmonary vascular resistance, however, suggest that obesity is not without deleterious effect on cardiovascular function.

Idiopathic scoliosis in old age. II. Cardiovascular function.

Abstract Cardiovascular function has been studied in 15 female patients, 56 to 63 years of age, who were diagnosed as idiopathic scoliotics about 50 years ago. Eight of the patients had a severe skeletal deformity with a spinal angle of ≥60° (SD group); the remaining seven patients were less deformed (LD group). The examinations comprised ECGs at rest and during exercise, determination of work capacity, total amount of hemoglobin, blood volume and heart volume. Through heart catheterization in 13 subjects intracardiac and intravascular pressures and cardiac output were measured at rest and during work. Pulmonary hypertension with a restricted working capacity was found in the most severely deformed patient; all others had ordinary pressures and cardiac output both at rest and during work when compared with a healthy male material of the same age. On the ECG none of the patients developed signs of right ventricular impairment. A few patients had ST changes in the left precordial leads during work but were free from symptoms. The ECG findings were not related to the degree of the scoliosis, the working capacity or the heart volume. The SD group had a significantly lower working capacity than the LD group. When related to previously obtained respiratory data the working capacity was significantly correlated to tidal volume and to vital and total lung capacities. In one third of the patients with a low working capacity small circulatory dimensions were a characteristic feature. It could be assumed that a restricted lung function would decrease the physical activity and hence the circulatory dimensions to an extent related to the degree of deformity.