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Biomedical subjects

R Naeije

Publications and source records attributed to R Naeije.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Blunted hypoxic vasoconstriction in oleic acid lung injury: effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitors.

Cyclooxygenase inhibitors have been reported to accentuate pulmonary hypertension and to improve gas exchange in oleic acid (OA) lung injury (Leeman et al. J. Appl. Physiol. 65: 662-668, 1988), suggesting inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by a vasodilating prostaglandin. To test this hypothesis, the hypoxic pulmonary vasoreactivity was examined at constant flow (Q; with an arteriovenous femoral bypass or a balloon catheter placed in the inferior vena cava) before and after OA in three groups of anesthetized and ventilated [inspired O2 fraction (FIO2) 0.4] dogs. Intrapulmonary shunt was measured using a SF6 infusion. A time control group (n = 7) had two consecutive hypoxic challenges after OA and received no drug. A treatment group (n = 6) received indomethacin (2 mg/kg iv) before the second hypoxic challenge after OA. A pretreatment group received indomethacin (2 mg/kg iv, n = 7) or aspirin (30 mg/kg iv, n = 6) before OA. In control and treated dogs, the hypoxic pulmonary vasopressor response was attenuated after OA. It was restored after indomethacin but also during the second hypoxic stimulus in the control dogs. After OA, gas exchange at FIO2 0.4 improved with indomethacin but not in controls. In pretreated dogs the hypoxic vasopressor response to hypoxia was preserved after OA, and gas exchange at FIO2 0.4 was less deteriorated compared with nonpretreated dogs (arterial O2 pressure 139 +/- 7 vs. 76 +/- 6 Torr, P less than 0.01, and intrapulmonary shunt 14 +/- 2 vs. 41 +/- 5%, P less than 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Cyclooxygenase inhibition aggravates pulmonary hypertension and deteriorates gas exchange in canine pulmonary embolism.

We examined the effects of cyclooxygenase inhibitors on pulmonary hemodynamics and gas exchange after experimental acute pulmonary embolism in 12 intact anesthetized dogs. Pulmonary hemodynamics were evaluated by pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa)/cardiac output (Q) plots before and 60 min after autologous blood clot embolization and again 30 min after cyclooxygenase inhibition, either by acetylsalicylic acid (ASA, n = 6) or by indomethacin (INDO, n = 6). Gas exchange was assessed using the multiple inert gas elimination technique, at a constant intermediate Q, under each of these experimental conditions. Embolization increased Ppa at all levels of Q studied (p less than 0.001), increased true shunt (p less than 0.05), and shifted perfusion (Q) and ventilation (VA) distributions to lower and higher VA/Q (p less than 0.05), respectively. ASA and INDO further shifted Ppa/Q plots toward higher pressures (p less than 0.05). Concomitantly, the physiologic dead space increased after INDO (p less than 0.001), and the proportion of lung units with a high VA/Q increased and the inert gas dead space decreased after both ASA (p less than 0.05) and INDO (p less than 0.05). We conclude that, in experimental pulmonary embolism, structurally different cyclooxygenase inhibitors aggravate pulmonary hypertension and deteriorate gas exchange by an altered distribution of VA/Q essentially to lung units with a higher than normal VA/Q. These findings may be explained by changes in the distributions of both VA and of Q as a consequence of cyclooxygenase inhibition-associated increases in both bronchial and vascular tone in embolized lung regions.

Animals↗

Almitrine and doxapram in experimental lung injury.

Almitrine and doxapram, two structurally unrelated peripheral chemoreceptor agonists, have been shown to enhance hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in anesthetized dogs. We hypothesized that these drugs would increase pulmonary vascular tone and improve gas exchange in canine lung injury caused by oleic acid (OA). Pulmonary hemodynamics and gas exchange were investigated in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs before and after intravenously administered OA 0.09 ml/kg and again after placebo (n = 6), almitrine 2 micrograms/kg/min (n = 6), or doxapram 20 micrograms/kg/min (n = 6) in a randomized order. Cardiac output (Q) was manipulated using a femoral arteriovenous bypass and an inferior vena cava balloon catheter to construct mean pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa)-Q plots in order to discriminate active from passive changes in Ppa. Gas exchange was assessed by measuring arterial PO2 and intrapulmonary shunt, determined using a sulfur hexafluoride infusion. OA increased Ppa over the range of Q studied, and it deteriorated gas exchange by an increase in intrapulmonary shunt. After OA, placebo had no effect on Ppa, arterial PO2, or intrapulmonary shunt. Both almitrine and doxapram further increased Ppa at all levels of Q studied, but they did not affect indices of gas exchange after OA. We conclude that in this experimental model of acute lung injury, almitrine and doxapram induce pulmonary vasoconstriction without, however, diverting blood flow toward better oxygenated lung regions.

Almitrine↗

Prostaglandin E1 infusion for right ventricular failure after cardiac transplantation.

The infusion of prostaglandin E1, a vasodilating substance with predominant effects on the pulmonary vasculature, has been found effective in the management of pulmonary hypertension associated with various diseases. The reported experience with prostaglandin E1 after cardiac transplantation is, however, limited. We used prostaglandin E1 in 18 patients in whom acute right ventricular failure developed after orthotopic cardiac transplantation. The infusion was started within 24 hours after operation in 16 patients and was continued for up to 7 days. Maximal doses of prostaglandin E1, administered via a central venous catheter, ranged from 30 to 120 ng/kg/min. Norepinephrine was simultaneously infused via a left atrial catheter in 10 patients to prevent a reduction in systemic arterial pressure. The prostaglandin E1 infusion resulted in significant reductions in mean arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance and simultaneous increases in cardiac index and stroke index. Mean arterial pressure was stable and left ventricular stroke work increased. The alveolar oxygen tension/forced inspiratory oxygen index tended to decrease during the infusion. Three patients died, two of right heart failure and one of multiple organ failure associated with cardiac allograft rejection. In patients in whom right ventricular failure associated with pulmonary hypertension develops after cardiac transplantation, prostaglandin E1, combined with norepinephrine whenever the arterial pressure declines, can effectively reduce pulmonary artery pressures and improve global cardiac function without compromising systemic perfusion.

Adult↗

Acid-base status affects gas exchange in canine oleic acid pulmonary edema.

The effects of acidosis and alkalosis on pulmonary gas exchange were studied in 32 pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized intact dogs after induction of oleic acid (0.06 ml/kg) pulmonary edema. Gas exchange was assessed at constant ventilation and constant cardiac output, by venous admixture calculations and by intrapulmonary shunt measurements using the sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) method. Metabolic acidosis (pH 7.20) and alkalosis (pH 7.60) were induced with HCl and Carbicarb (isosmolar Na2CO3 and NaHCO3), respectively. Hypercapnia was induced by adding inspiratory CO2, whereas pH was allowed to change (respiratory acidosis, pH 7.20) or maintained constant (isolated hypercapnia). Mean intrapulmonary shunt and pulmonary arterial minus wedge pressure difference, respectively, changed from 44 to 33% (P less than 0.05) and from 9 to 10 mmHg (P greater than 0.05) in metabolic acidosis, from 44 to 62% (P less than 0.001) and from 12 to 8 mmHg (P less than 0.01) in metabolic alkalosis, from 40 to 42% (P greater than 0.05) and from 13 to 16 mmHg (P less than 0.05) in respiratory acidosis, from 42 to 52% (P less than 0.05) and from 8 to 12 mmHg (P less than 0.01) in isolated hypercapnia. These results indicate that acidosis, alkalosis, and hypercapnia markedly influence pulmonary gas exchange and/or pulmonary hemodynamics in dogs with oleic acid pulmonary edema.

Acidosis↗

PEEP inhibits hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in dogs.

The effects of an increase in alveolar pressure on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) have been reported variably. We therefore studied the effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on pulmonary hemodynamics in 13 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs ventilated alternately in hyperoxia [inspired O2 fraction (FIO2) 0.4] and in hypoxia (FIO2 0.1). In this intact animal model, HPV was defined as the gradient between hypoxic and hyperoxic transmural (tm) mean pulmonary arterial pressure [Ppa(tm)] at any level of cardiac index (Q). Ppa(tm)/Q plots were constructed with mean transmural left atrial pressure [Pla(tm)] kept constant at approximately 6 mmHg (n = 5 dogs), and Ppa(tm)/PEEP plots were constructed with Q kept constant approximately 2.8 l.min-1.m-2 and Pla(tm) kept constant approximately 8 mmHg (n = 8 dogs). Q was manipulated using a femoral arteriovenous bypass and a balloon catheter in the inferior vena cava. Pla(tm) was held constant by a balloon catheter placed by left thoracotomy in the left atrium. Increasing PEEP, from 0 to 12 Torr by 2-Torr increments, at constant Q and Pla(tm), increased Ppa(tm) from 14 +/- 1 (SE) to 19 +/- 1 mmHg in hyperoxia but did not affect Ppa(tm) (from 22 +/- 2 to 23 +/- 1 mmHg) in hypoxia. Both hypoxia and PEEP, at constant Pla(tm), increased Ppa(tm) over the whole range of Q studied, from 1 to 5 l/min, but more at the highest than at the lowest Q and without change in extrapolated pressure intercepts. Adding PEEP to hypoxia did not affect Ppa(tm) at all levels of Q.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Pulmonary vascular impedance in microembolic pulmonary hypertension: effects of synchronous high-frequency jet ventilation.

Increased intrathoracic pressure (ITP) during conventional mechanical ventilation may interfere with the adaptation of right ventricular function to pulmonary hypertension. We studied the effects of synchronous cardiac cycle-specific high frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) in 10 anesthetized dogs before and after embolization of the pulmonary artery with 150-200 microns glass beads. The delivery of the jet was synchronized with early systole, late systole, early diastole and late diastole of the cardiac cycle. Right and left ventricular pressures (Prv and Plv) and pulmonary arterial pressures (Ppa) were measured by transducer-tipped catheters and pulmonary blood flow by an ultrasonic flow probe. Right ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic volumes (rvESV and rvEDV) were estimated from the thermodilution curve obtained with a Swan-Ganz catheter equipped with a fast response thermistor. Pulmonary hypertension caused significant increases in heart rate (89 +/- 7 to 152 +/- 8 beats/min), rvEDV (80 +/- 7 to 131 +/- 23 ml), diastolic transmural Prv (2 +/- 1 to 5 +/- 1 mm Hg), and rv peak dP/dt (652 +/- 151 to 1035 +/- 160 mm Hg/s). The spectrum of pulmonary vascular input impedance was displaced towards higher frequencies, input resistance was increased and characteristic impedance decreased. The latter change contributed to a relative decrease in the pulsatile component of right ventricular power output. Cardiac output remained unchanged (2.1 +/- 0.2 to 1.9 +/- 0.1 L/min, P NS). Non of these measurements was affected by the timing of the increase in ITP to specific instants in the cardiac cycle compared to apneic periods at any level of pulmonary hypertension. We conclude that in acute microembolic pulmonary hypertension 1 degree a decrease in characteristic impedance contributes to the adaptation of right ventricular function to increased afterload and 2 degrees synchronous cardiac cycle-specific HFJV has no detectable hemodynamic effect.

Animals↗

Atrial natriuretic peptides in canine hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate whether atrial natriuretic peptides have a physiological role in regulation of the pulmonary circulation. DESIGN: Plasma concentrations of immunoreactive atrial natriuretic peptide and guanosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) were measured during evaluation of pulmonary vascular tone by multipoint pulmonary arterial pressure-cardiac index (Ppa/Q) relationships. SUBJECTS: Experimental animals were 17 mongrel dogs of either sex, 21-35 kg weight, anaesthetised with pentobarbitone. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Measurements of Ppa/Q relationships and atrial natriuretic peptide/cGMP were made during hyperoxia (Fio2 0.4) and hypoxia (Fio2 0.1). Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, defined as hypoxia induced increase in pulmonary artery pressure over the entire range of Q studied from 2-5 litre.min-1.m-2, was elicited in nine dogs ("responders"). In the other eight dogs, hypoxia did not change pulmonary artery pressure over the entire range of Q studied ("non-responders"). At neither the highest nor the lowest Q in hyperoxia did atrial natriuretic peptide and cGMP concentrations differ between these two groups, nor did acute reduction in Q affect the concentrations in either group. At the highest Q, plasma atrial natriuretic peptide increased in hypoxia from 11(SEM 2) to 15(3) pmol.litre-1 in the responders (p less than 0.05), and from 15(2) to 20(2) pmol.litre-1 in the non-responders (p less than 0.05). However at the lowest Q, atrial natriuretic peptide was increased in non-responders only, from 17(3) to 23(4) pmol.litre-1 (p less than 0.05). CGMP did not vary significantly in any experimental condition. CONCLUSIONS: Hypoxia slightly increased plasma atrial natriuretic peptides without any relationship with associated pulmonary haemodynamic changes. These data do not support the hypothesis that atrial natriuretic peptides play a physiological role in the regulation of the pulmonary circulation in dogs.

Animals↗

Effects of vasodilators on gas exchange in acute canine embolic pulmonary hypertension.

Pulmonary vascular tone was investigated by the construction of pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP)/cardiac output (Q) plots, and gas exchange, by the multiple inert gas elimination technique, in 24 anesthetized dogs before and after pulmonary embolization of autologous clots. Three PAP/Q plots were obtained by a manipulation of venous return at baseline and 60 min and 110 min after embolization. Before the third PAP/Q plot, the dogs were randomly allocated to one of the following iv treatments: 1) placebo (n = 6); 2) prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) 0.4 microgram.kg-1.min-1 (n = 6); 3) hydralazine 2 mg/kg (n = 6); and 4) nitroprusside 10 microgram.kg-1.min-1 (n = 6). These vasodilators decreased systemic arterial pressure by a mean of 44%. Ventilation-perfusion (VA/Q) distributions were determined at the same Q (2.4 +/- 0.1 l.min-1.m-2, mean +/- SE) of each PAP/Q plot. Embolization increased the intercept and the slope of the PAP/Q plots (P less than 0.001). Distributions of VA/Q were only moderately impaired, with an increased dispersion of both VA and Q and a shift of VA distributions to higher VA/Q. PaO2 changed from 208 +/- 5 to 172 +/- 8 mmHg (P less than 0.01) (fraction of inspired O2 was 0.4). None of the treatments had any effect on VA/Q distributions. Placebo and PGE1 had no effect on PAP/Q plots. Hydralazine and nitroprusside reduced the slope of the PAP/Q plots. Thus, in this canine model of acute pulmonary embolism: 1) VA/Q distributions were moderately impaired accounting for only slight hypoxemia, and 2) pulmonary hypertension was partially reversible by hydralazine and by nitroprusside without associated non-flow-dependent change in VA/Q distributions and arterial oxygenation.

Acute Disease↗

Enhancement of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by metabolic acidosis in dogs.

The effects of HCl infusion on multipoint mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP)/cardiac index (CI) plots in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs whose lungs were ventilated alternately in hyperoxia (fraction of inspired O2 [FIO2], 0.4) and hypoxia (FIO2, 0.1) were investigated. Over the range of CI studied (1 to 5 l.min-1.m-2), hypoxia increased PAP in 22 dogs (responders) and did not affect PAP in 16 other dogs (nonresponders). In eight nonresponders, two repetitions of alternated 0.4 and 0.1 FIO2 exposures did not restore hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV), defined as a hypoxia-induced increase in PAP at a given flow. Intravenous infusion of 2 M HCl (2 mmol.kg-1.h-1) decreased arterial pH from normal to around 7.20 in eight responders and eight nonresponders. This metabolic acidosis increased PAP at all levels of CI in hyperoxia and in hypoxia in all the dogs, enhanced HPV in the responders, and restored HPV in the nonresponders. In eight responders, 2 M HCl infusion (2 mmol.kg-1.h-1) together with a 7% sodium bicarbonate infusion (adjusted to maintain arterial pH unchanged) did not affect hyperoxic or hypoxic PAP/CI plots. Pretreatment with 1 g acetylsalicylic acid iv (6 dogs) did not affect the pulmonary vasoreactivity to HCl-induced (2 M HCl, 2 mmol.kg-1.h-1) metabolic acidosis. It was concluded that in intact dogs: 1) metabolic acidosis enhances HPV; 2) at the given dose, HCl does not produce pulmonary vascular effects unrelated to the circulating blood pH; and 3) it is unlikely that the pulmonary vasoreactivity to metabolic acidosis is mediated by products of the cyclooxygenase pathway.

Acidosis↗

Acute pulmonary oedema on the Ruwenzori mountain range.

A 40 year old man had an episode of severe pulmonary oedema at 4000-5000 m during the ascent of the Margherita peak (5109 m) of Mount Stanley on the Ruwenzori. He had taken acetazolamide and high dose dexamethasone to treat symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Six years before he had been studied by right heart catheterisation as a healthy volunteer during hypoxic breathing at sea level. His pulmonary vascular reactivity had been within the normal range for 32 healthy subjects. This man had high altitude pulmonary oedema despite currently recommended treatments for acute mountain sickness and normal pulmonary vascular reactivity to hypoxia at sea level.

Acetazolamide↗

Effects of acidosis and alkalosis on hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in dogs.

We studied the effects of metabolic and respiratory acidosis (pH 7.20) and alkalosis (pH 7.60) on pulmonary vascular tone in 32 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs ventilated with hyperoxia (inspired oxygen fraction, FIO2 0.40) and with hypoxia (FIO2 0.10). Ventilation, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (Ppw), and cardiac output (3 l.min-1.m-2) were maintained constant to prevent passive changes in pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa). Metabolic acidosis and alkalosis were induced with HCl (2 mmol.kg-1.h-1) and NaHCO3-Na2CO3 (5 mmol.kg-1.h-1) infusions, respectively, and respiratory acidosis and alkalosis by modifying the inspiratory CO2 fraction. The hypoxia-induced rise in Ppa-Ppw gradient increased from 5 to 9 mmHg in metabolic acidosis (P less than 0.001), decreased from 6 to 1 mmHg in metabolic alkalosis (P less than 0.001), remained unchanged in respiratory acidosis, and decreased from 5 to 2 mmHg in respiratory alkalosis (P less than 0.001). Linear relationships were found between pH and Ppa-Ppw gradients. These data indicate that in intact anesthetized dogs, metabolic acidosis and alkalosis, respectively, enhance and reverse hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). Respiratory acidosis did not affect HPV and respiratory alkalosis blunted HPV, which suggests an pH-independent vasodilating effect of CO2.

Acidosis↗

Inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by increased left atrial pressure in dogs.

To further explore the mechanism of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction, we studied the mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa)/left atrial pressure (Pla) relationship at fixed cardiac index (Q) and the Ppa/Q relationship at several levels of fixed Pla in pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized dogs ventilated alternately in hyperoxia [fraction of inspired O2 (FIO2) 0.4 or 1.0] and in hypoxia (FIO2 0.1). In all experimental conditions, Ppa/Q plots were linear with extrapolated pressure intercepts (Pi) not significantly different from Pla. Hypoxia increased the slope of Ppa/Q plots and did not affect Pi. In hyperoxia, increasing Pla (3 to 26 mmHg) induced approximately equal increases in Ppa at fixed Q and shifted Ppa/Q plots toward higher pressures in a parallel manner. In hypoxia, increasing Pla (4 to 25 mmHg) did not affect Ppa at fixed Q until Pla exceeded 16 mmHg and shifted Ppa/Q plots toward higher pressures with a decrease in slope. Consequently, the hypoxia-induced increases in Ppa at constant Q and constant Pla were attenuated at higher Pla. Thus, in anesthetized dogs, hypoxia increases the slope of Ppa/Q plots without affecting Pi at fixed Pla, and an increase in Pla inhibits hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. These results can be explained without invoking a hypoxia-induced Starling resistor mechanism in the pulmonary circulation.

Animals↗

Nature of pulmonary hypertension in canine oleic acid pulmonary edema.

It has recently been suggested that pulmonary hypertension secondary to oleic acid lung injury mainly results from an increase in the critical closing pressure of the pulmonary vessels [Boiteau et al., Am. J. Physiol. 251 (Heart Circ. Physiol. 20): H1163-H1170, 1986]. To further test this hypothesis, we studied 1) the pulmonary arterial pressure- (Ppa) flow (Q) relationship with left atrial pressure (Pla) kept constant (n = 7) and 2) the Ppa-Pla relationship with Q kept constant (n = 9) in intact anesthetized and ventilated dogs before and after lung injury induced by oleic acid (0.09 ml/kg iv). Q was manipulated by use of a femoral arteriovenous bypass and a balloon catheter inserted in the inferior vena cava. Pla was manipulated with a balloon catheter placed by thoracotomy in the left atrium. Ppa-Q plots were rectilinear before as well as after oleic acid. Before oleic acid, the extrapolated pressure intercept of the Ppa-Q plots approximated Pla. Oleic acid administration resulted in a parallel shift of the Ppa-Q plots to higher pressure; i.e., the pressure intercept increased, whereas the slope was not modified. Increasing Pla at constant Q before oleic acid led to a proportional augmentation of Ppa. After oleic acid, however, changes in Pla over the same range affected Ppa only at the highest levels of Pla. These results suggest that oleic acid lung injury increases the critical closing pressure that exceeds Pla, becomes the effective outflow pressure of the pulmonary circulation, and is responsible for the pulmonary hypertension.

Animals↗

Effects of PEEP on pulmonary hemodynamics in intact dogs with oleic acid pulmonary edema.

The effects of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the pulmonary circulation were studied in 14 intact anesthetized dogs with oleic acid (OA) lung injury. Transmural (tm) mean pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa)/cardiac index (Q) plots with transmural left atrial pressure (Pla) kept constant were constructed in seven dogs, and Ppa(tm)/PEEP plots with Q and Pla(tm) kept constant were constructed in seven other dogs. Q was manipulated by using a femoral arteriovenous bypass and a balloon catheter inserted in the inferior vena cava. Pla was manipulated using a balloon catheter placed by thoracotomy in the left atrium. Ppa(tm)/Q plots were essentially linear. Before OA, the linearly extrapolated pressure intercept of the Ppa(tm)/Q relationship approximated Pla(tm). OA (0.09 ml/kg into the right atrium) produced a parallel shift of the Ppa(tm)/Q relationship to higher pressures; i.e., the extrapolated pressure intercept increased while the slope was not modified. After OA, 4 Torr PEEP (5.4 cmH2O) had no effect on the Ppa(tm)/Q relationship and 10 Torr PEEP (13.6 cmH2O) produced a slight, not significant, upward shift of this relationship. Changing PEEP from 0 to 12 Torr (16.3 cmH2O) at constant Q before OA led to an almost linear increase of Ppa(tm) from 14 +/- 1 to 19 +/- 1 mmHg. After OA, Ppa(tm) increased at 0 Torr PEEP but changing PEEP from 0 to 12 Torr did not significantly affect Ppa(tm), which increased from 19 +/- 1 to 20 +/- 1 mmHg. These data suggest that moderate levels of PEEP minimally aggravate the pulmonary hypertension secondary to OA lung injury.

Animals↗

Effects of embolus size on hemodynamics and gas exchange in canine embolic pulmonary hypertension.

We examined the effects of different-sized glass-bead embolization on pulmonary hemodynamics and gas exchange in 12 intact anesthetized dogs. Pulmonary hemodynamics were evaluated by multipoint pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa)/cardiac output (Q) plots before and 60 min after sufficient amounts of 100-microns (n = 6 dogs) or 1,000-microns (n = 6 dogs) glass beads to triple baseline Ppa were given and again 20 min after 5 mg/kg hydralazine in all the animals. Gas exchange was assessed using the multiple inert gas elimination technique in each of these experimental conditions. Embolization increased both the extrapolated pressure intercepts (by 6 mmHg) and the slopes (by 5 mmHg.l-1.min.m2) of the linear Ppa/Q plots, together with an 80% angiographic pulmonary vascular obstruction. These changes were not significantly different in the two subgroups of dogs. However, arterial PO2 was most decreased after the 100-microns beads, and arterial PCO2 was most increased after the 1,000-microns beads. Both bead sizes deteriorated the distribution of ventilation (VA)/perfusion (Q) ratios, with development of lung units with higher as well as with lower than normal VA/Q. Only 100-microns beads generated a shunt. Only 1,000-microns beads generated a high VA/Q mode and increased inert gas dead space. Hydralazine increased the shunt and decreased the slope of the Ppa/Q plots after 100-microns beads and had no effect after 1,000-microns beads. We conclude that in embolic pulmonary hypertension, Ppa/Q characteristics are unaffected by embolus size up to 1,000 microns.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Restored hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction by peripheral chemoreceptor agonists in dogs.

Hypoxic stimulation of the peripheral chemoreceptors inhibits hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). On the other hand, almitrine, a peripheral chemoreceptor agonist, has been reported in some studies to enhance HPV. To further explore this apparent contradiction, we investigated the effects of two different low intravenous doses of almitrine on pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) versus cardiac index (Q) plots in 32 pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs ventilated alternatively in hyperoxia (FIO2, 0.4) and in hypoxia (FIO2 0.1). HPV, defined as a hypoxia-induced increase in Ppa over the entire range of Q studied, from 2 to 5 L/min/m2, was elicited in 16 dogs. In the first eight of these "responders," almitrine 2 micrograms/kg/min had no vascular effect, and in the other eight, almitrine 4 micrograms/kg/min inhibited HPV. In 16 other dogs, hypoxia did not affect Ppa over the entire range of Q. In these "nonresponders," almitrine 2 micrograms/kg/min (n = 8) as well as 4 micrograms/kg/min (n = 8) restored HPV. To answer the question whether the ability to restore HPV would be specific to almitrine, we administered intravenously the structurally unrelated chemoreceptor agonist doxapram at the dose of 20 micrograms/kg/min to an additional group of eight "nonresponders," and this treatment also restored HPV. Intravenous infusion of the malic acid solution solvent of almitrine had no effect on Ppa/Q plots in a final group of eight "nonresponders". We conclude that low dose almitrine and doxapram restore HPV in dogs with a naturally absent hypoxic pulmonary pressor response, probably by a direct effect at the pulmonary vessels.

Almitrine↗

Absence of parasympathetic control of pulmonary vascular pressure-flow plots in hyperoxic and hypoxic dogs.

Hypoxic stimulation of the peripheral chemoreceptors has been reported to inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV). This has been explained by a reflex vagal (Chapleau et al., 1988) or sympathetic (Naeije et al., 1989) pulmonary vasodilation. We therefore investigated the effects of bilateral cervical vagotomy and of muscarinic block (atropine sulfate 0.1 mg.kg-1 i.v.) on multipoint pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa)-cardiac index (Q) plots in 16 sodium pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs ventilated alternately in hyperoxia (fraction of inspired O2, FIO2, 0.4) and in hypoxia (FIO2 0.1). Over the range of Q studied, 2 to 5 L.min-1.m-2, hypoxia increased Ppa and did not change pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (Ppw). After bilateral cervical vagotomy or after atropine, Ppa and Ppw at all levels of Q were not modified either during hyperoxia or during hypoxia. These results show that the parasympathetic system does not affect the global hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasopressor response and thus suggest that the depressor effect of chemoreceptor stimulation on HPV is not vagally mediated.

Animals↗