CARDIOGRAPHIC STUDIES IN SEVERE PULMONARY EMPHYSEMA

Abstract

All of the 16 patients had their right ventricular pressures measured. A persistent RSR'' pattern in right chest leads in pulmonary emphysema was presumptive, although not diagnostic, evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy. A relationship was seen between ecg. evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy and increased resting right ventricular systolic pressure in the absence of congestive failure. Right ventricular hypertension could occur in the presence of a normal ecg., although ecg. evidence of right ventricular hypertrophy was not found with a normal ecg.