Red Cell Changes in Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency1

Abstract

Patients with chronic pulmonary insufficiency have high hematocrits but often normal hemoglobin levels. The mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration is low. Arterial oxygen capacity and hematocrit values were measured in 31 patients and the ratio of the oxygen capacity to hematocrit was 0.394 compared to 0.469 in 8 healthy males. Oxygen capacity is a measure of active hemoglobin concentration. Investigation showed no inactive or abnormal hemoglobin, and plasma trapping does not explain the low ratio. A close correlation was discovered between the decreased ratio and an increase in red cell water, and entrance of water into the cells appears to be the best explanation. Price-Jones curves showed an increased red cell diameter, 8.04u in 10 patients compared to 7.84u in 9 healthy males of the same age.