Pulmonary function studies in sickle cell disease.

Pulmonary function studies in sickle cell disease. J. A ppl. Physiol. 28(5) : 574-577. 1970.-Pulmonary function studies including the measurements of single-breath diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DL), membrane diffusing capacity (Dm), and pul-monary capillary blood volume (Vc) were carried out in 30 normal subjects and in 10 patients with sickle cell disease. In the latter group, 6 patients had SS-hemoglobin disease and 4 SC-hemoglobin disease. Normal subjects had a mean hemoglobin content of 13.9 g/l00 ml and a mean DL value of 29 ml/min per mm Hg. In 6 patients with SS-hemoglobin disease, the mean hemoglobin content was only 7.5 g/100 ml and yet the mean DL value was 24 ml / min per mm Hg. The DL value was considered to be disproportionately high in the presence of reduced hemoglobin level. In 4 patients with SC-hemoglobin disease, the hemoglobin content and DL were 12.8 g/100 ml and 22 ml/min per mm Hg,