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Abstract
Seven patients with unexplained erythrocytosis, moderate obesity, and mild hypertension
without splenomegaly (Gaisböck's syndrome) were studied. Routine pulmonary studies
were normal, but significant arterial hypoxemia was demonstrated in the supine position
in all patients. An increase in the serum level of erythropoietin in the supine position
was found in five of six patients. Nocturnal oxygen therapy controlled the erythrocytosis
in one patient and weight reduction was effective in controlling the hematocrit in
another. We were unable to confirm the existence of “Gaisböck's syndrome.” The importance
of a complete pulmonary evaluation, including arterial blood gas analysis in the supine
position, in all patients with an unexplained erythrocytosis is emphasized. The finding
of significant hypoxemia in the supine position in all patients in this study suggests
that postural hypoxemia may be a frequent cause of an elevated red cell volume.
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Article info
Publication history
Received:
December 19,
1967
Footnotes
☆This study was supported by Grant FR-0051 U.S. Public Health Service, Washington D.C., and Veterans Administration Research Funds.
Identification
Copyright
© 1968 Published by Elsevier Inc.