THE HEMODYNAMIC RESPONSE TO EXERCISE IN PATIENTS WITH LAENNEC'S CIRRHOSIS 1

Abstract

Cardiac output, (dye-injection method), direct arterial pressure, and O2 consumption were measured in 11 patients with Laennec''s cirrhosis on 17 separate occasions at rest and during mild to moderate exercise in the supine position. At rest, the eardiac output was often high and associated with a low peripheral vascular resistance. During exercise the cardiac output increased and peripheral resistance decreased in all but 2 instances. Increase in blood flow generally was at least of the order of that seen in normal individuals during comparable exercise and often was quite large.