GENERAL AND CENTRAL HEMODYNAMICS IN PATIE NTS WITH CHRONIC-BRONCHITISIN RESPONSE TO TRANSCUTANEOUS DIAPHRAGMATIC ELECTROSTIMULATION

25 males and 5 females suffering from chronic obstructive bronchitis ( COB) underwent transcutaneous diaphragmatic electrostimulation (TDE). As shown by central intrapulmonary hemodynamics, those patients who ha d no circulatory decompensation benefited from TDE. There was a decrea se in the pulmonary hypertension, intensification of general hemodynam ics, reduced tonicity of the pulmonary arteriolar bed, improvement of right ventricular function. In circulatory decompensation TDE may caus e deterioration of right ventricular function, enhancement of circulat ion decomposition against unchanged pulmonary hypertension and pulmona ry-arteriolar tonicity. The changes in pulmonary artery pressure, tota l pulmonary vascular resistance, pulmonary-arteriolar elasticity obser ved after a single TDE session may prompt the validity of further COB treatment according to the above regimen.