Effects of Hemodialysis and Renal Transplantation on Pulmonary Function

¹ Departments of Medicine and Surgery, Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center; Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York

A group of patients with normal chest x-ray films accepted for a renal transplantation program underwent serial pulmonary function studies. Vital capacity and maximum ventilation decreased slightly. Parameters of abnormal pulmonary function did not change after hemodialysis. Maximum voluntary ventilation increased significantly after successful renal transplantation, which could represent an overall improvement of these patients. The impairment of the diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide was related to the anemia accompanying renal disease, and not to the azotemia itself. We conclude that in evaluating a chronic uremic patient's pulmonary status, the chest x-ray examination is most important.