Circulatory Failure in Metastatic Carcinoma of the Lung

Abstract

Four cases of extensive metastatic pulmonary carcinomatosis have been studied from the point of view of hemodynamics (cardiac catheterization) and pathology in order to evaluate the various factors in the pathogenesis of the subacute form of cor pulmonale. The author stresses the importance of distinguishing between the extensive destruction of lung tissue, leading to anoxemia, and the invasion of lung vessels by cancer cells, leading to pulmonary arterial hypertension and later to failure of the right ventricle.