THE STUDY OF FORCED VITAL CAPACITY IN PATIENTS OF ASCITES

Background: The study of forced vital capacity in patients of ascites. Huge ascites restricts the expansion of the lungs from the abdomen and hence decreases forced vital capacity. Aim: To assess the effect of ascites on vital capacity in patients with respiratory system impairment. Setting And Design: The study was planned to assess the effect of huge ascites on vital capacity in ascitic patients. Methods And Materials:- Seventy-ve male ascitic patients free from cardiopulmonary diseases were taken for pulmonary function test, along with seventy-ve normal subjects of the same age group as control. The pulmonary function test was done using the instrument "McKesson Vitalor," and the forced expiratory spirogram was taken from this forced vital capacity. The forced vital capacity was statistically analyzed by the Student's t-test, both paired and unpaired. Results: The present study shows a signicant decrease in forced vital capacity in ascitic patients compared to control subjects. Conclusion: Huge ascites restricts lung expansion from the abdomen, leading to decreased forced vital capacity