Long-term adaptation mechanisms of cardiorespiratory system in adolescents with scoliotic disease

Abstract

To study long-term adaptation in adolescents with scoliotic disease, inpatients with various severity of thoracic scoliosis were examined. Lung function tests, physical stress tolerance, physical working capacity were assessed; veloergometry was performed. Patients with mild vertebral abnormalities demonstrated compensatory increase of minute respiratory volume, that was more effective for energy metabolism. Ln stage LV scoliosis, lung tests were abnormal, compensatory reactions of lung function were manifested primarily in increased breath rate, without adequate pulmonary ventilation increase. Physical stress tolerance and physical working capacity were significantly declined in more severe forms of scoliosis. Arterial hypoxemia compensation was associated not with increased heart contractility, but with accelerated heart rate, that was unfavorable for energy metabolism.