HYPOVENTILATION, CYANOSIS AND POLYCYTHEMIA IN A THIN MAN

Abstract

A lack of respiratory centrogenic drive of undetermined origin is a rare cause of cyanosis. In this condition, voluntary hyperventilation restores arterial oxygen saturation to normal. Secondary changes consist of polycythemia, somnolence, headache and right heart failure. The present report of a 43-year-old thin man with idiopathic alveolar hypoventilation is combined with a review of 12 similar patients reported by others. His resting oxygen saturation increased from 60% to 98% with hyperventilation. The pulmonary artery pressure was 68/26 mm. Hg and cardiac output 12.3 l./min. Death resulted from pulmonary infarction, and no specific abnormalities were found in the brain.