Asbestos-induced Pleural Fibrosis and Impaired Exercise Physiology

摘要: To further assess the clinical significance of asbestos-induced pleural fibrosis, we performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 90 subjects who were exposed to asbestos. Of 82 without an abnormal resperate exercise, 35 had normal pleura, 33 circumscribed plaques, and 14 diffuse thickening. Interstitial fibrosis (International Labor Organization [ILO].≥1/0) was present with 13 2 Although did not appear be related impaired respiratory function our entire cohort, this finding confounded by a higher proportion interstitial pleura. In fact, among study asbestosis, significant decreases gas exchange (higher VD/VT increased alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference) observed at maximal fibrosis. Interestingly, neither rate nor lower VT/FVC ratio those suggesting that mechanical effects on chest wall do explain VD/VT. Using multivariate analyses control for potential confounders, regression models showed plaques (p=0.04) thickening (p=0.03) independently associated increases dead space ventilation (VD/VT) exercise. These findings indicate is decrements suggest lung disease, detected routine x-ray film, may responsible response