Physical factors affecting normal and serotonin-constricted pulmonary vessels

1960 ◽  
Vol 198 (4) ◽  
pp. 864-872 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abraham M. Rudolph ◽  
Peter A. M. Auld

The effects of changes of pulmonary blood flow, pulmonary venous and pulmonary arterial pressure on calculated pulmonary vascular resistance were evaluated in open-chest, intact dogs, in which the pulmonary and systemic circulations were separately perfused. Similar observations were made after constricting the pulmonary vessels by continuous infusion of serotonin. An increase in pulmonary blood flow produced a decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance. At high flows, the calculated resistance in the serotonin-constricted vessels could be reduced to levels considered normal at lower flows in normal vessels. An increase of pulmonary venous pressure resulted in a decrease of calculated resistance up to pulmonary venous pressure levels of 15–20 mm Hg in ‘normal’ vessels, but in serotonin-constricted vessels, resistance continued to be decreased by increase of pulmonary venous pressure up to 25–30 mm Hg. These findings confirm that the usual formula for calculating pulmonary vascular resistance assesses only resistance to flow, but does not provide information regarding vascular tone.

1995 ◽  
Vol 79 (4) ◽  
pp. 1212-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. J. Cummings

To examine a potential relationship between pulmonary vasodilatation and fetal lung liquid production, I measured lung liquid production in 20 fetal sheep at 130 +/- 4 days gestation while using several agents known to increase pulmonary blood flow. Thirty-two studies were done in which left pulmonary arterial flow (Qlpa) was measured by an ultrasonic Doppler flow probe and net lung luminal liquid production (Jv) was measured by plotting the change in lung luminal liquid concentration of radiolabeled albumin, an impermeant tracer that was mixed into the lung liquid at the start of each study. Qlpa and Jv were measured during a 1- to 2-h baseline period and then during a 1- to 2-h infusion period in which the fetuses received either an intravenous infusion of acetylcholine (n = 8), prostaglandin D2 (n = 10), or the leukotriene blocker FPL-55712 (n = 7). These vasodilators work by different mechanisms, each mechanism having been implicated in the decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance seen at birth. Control (saline) infusions (n = 7) caused no change in either Qlpa or Jv over 4 h. All vasodilator agents significantly increased pulmonary blood flow and decreased Jv. Pulmonary arterial pressure did not change significantly in either the control, acetylcholine, prostaglandin, or leukotriene-blocker studies, indicating that pulmonary vascular resistance decreased. Thus agents that increase pulmonary blood flow by mechanisms that occur at birth also decrease lung liquid production in fetal lambs.


1987 ◽  
Vol 253 (4) ◽  
pp. H941-H948 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. H. Abman ◽  
F. J. Accurso ◽  
R. B. Wilkening ◽  
G. Meschia

To determine the effects of duration of hypoxia on fetal pulmonary blood flow and vasoreactivity, we studied the response of the fetal pulmonary vascular bed before, during, and after prolonged (2-h) and more brief (30-min) exposures to acute hypoxia in 19 chronically instrumented unanesthetized fetal lambs. Left pulmonary arterial blood flow was measured by an electromagnetic flow transducer. Fetal PO2 was lowered by delivering 10-12% O2 to the ewe. During 2-h periods of hypoxia left pulmonary arterial blood flow decreased, and main pulmonary arterial and pulmonary vascular resistance increased. The increase in pulmonary vascular resistance was sustained throughout the 2-h period of hypoxia. After the return of the ewe to room air breathing, pulmonary vascular resistance remained elevated for at least 1 h despite the rapid correction of hypoxemia and in the absence of acidemia. In contrast, after 30 min of hypoxia, left pulmonary arterial blood flow, pulmonary arterial pressure, and pulmonary vascular resistance returned to base-line values rapidly with the termination of hypoxia. The persistent pulmonary hypoperfusion after 2 h of hypoxia was attenuated by alpha-adrenergic blockade and was characterized by a blunted vasodilatory response to increases in fetal PO2. When fetal PO2 was elevated during the posthypoxia period in the presence of alpha-blockade, pulmonary blood flow still remained unresponsive to increases in fetal PO2. We conclude that 2-h periods of acute hypoxia can decrease fetal pulmonary vasoreactivity, and we speculate that related mechanisms may contribute to the failure of the normal adaptation of the pulmonary circulation at birth.


1995 ◽  
Vol 269 (6) ◽  
pp. H1965-H1972 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wong ◽  
V. M. Reddy ◽  
K. Hendricks-Munoz ◽  
J. R. Liddicoat ◽  
R. Gerrets ◽  
...  

Increased concentrations of endothelin-1 (ET-1) are found in children with congenital heart diseases that produce increased pulmonary blood flow and pulmonary hypertension, but the role of ET-1 in the pathophysiology of pulmonary hypertension is unclear. Therefore, we investigated ET-1-induced vasoactive responses and ET-1 concentrations in an animal model of pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary blood flow. Vascular shunts were placed between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery in seven late-gestation fetal sheep. Four weeks after spontaneous delivery, ET-1 increased pulmonary vascular resistance by 29.7 +/- 34.4% (P < 0.05), the ETb-receptor agonist [Ala1,3,11,15]ET-1 (4AlaET-1) had no effect, and the ETa-receptor antagonist cyclo(D-Asp-L-Pro-D-Val-L-Leu-D-Trp) (BQ-123) decreased pulmonary vascular resistance by -16.0 +/- 5.6% (P < 0.05). In contrast, in six control lambs with a similar degree of pulmonary hypertension induced by U-46619, ET-1 and 4AlaET-1 decreased pulmonary vascular resistance by 24.8 +/- 17.6, and 20.0 +/- 13.8%, respectively (P < 0.05). In addition, systemic arterial concentrations of immunoreactive ET-1 were elevated in lambs with pulmonary hypertension (29.2 +/- 9.6 vs. 15.2 +/- 10.7 pg/ml, P < 0.05). Pulmonary hypertension and increased pulmonary blood flow alters the response of ET-1 from pulmonary vasodilation to vasoconstriction. These altered responses suggest a role for ET-1 and its receptors in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension secondary to increased pulmonary blood flow.


1961 ◽  
Vol 200 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Harasawa ◽  
S. Rodbard

The effects of tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC) and aminophylline on the pulmonary vascular resistance were studied in thoracotomized dogs. Pulmonary arterial blood flow and pressure, and systemic blood pressure were measured simultaneously. Both drugs showed marked hypotensive effects on the systemic vessels. In every instance pulmonary arterial pressures and blood flows were reduced by TEAC given via the pulmonary artery and increased by aminophylline. However, the calculated pulmonary vascular resistance remained essentially unchanged in all experiments. These data challenge the concept that the pulmonary vessels respond to these drugs by active vasodilatation


1987 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 1982-1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Soohoo ◽  
H. S. Goldberg ◽  
R. Graham ◽  
A. C. Jasper

In the West model of zonal distribution of pulmonary blood flow, increases in flow down zone 2 are attributed to an increase in driving pressure and a decrease in resistance resulting from recruitment and distension. The increase in flow down zone 3 is attributed to a decrease in resistance only. Recent studies indicate that, besides the pressure required to maintain flow through a vessel, there is an added pressure cost that must be overcome in order to initiate flow. These additional pressure costs are designated critical pressures (Pcrit). Because Pcrit exceed alveolar pressure, the distinction between zones in the West model becomes less secure, and the explanation for the increase in flow even in West zone 3 requires reexamination. We used two methods to test the hypothesis that the Pcrit is the pertinent backpressure to flow even in zone 3, when the pulmonary venous pressure (Ppv) exceeds alveolar pressure (PA) but is less than Pcrit in the isolated canine left caudal lobe. First, PA was maintained at 5 cmH2O, and pressure flow (P-Q) characteristics were obtained in zone 2 and zone 3. Next, with PA still at 5 cmH2O, we maintained a constant flow and measured the change in pulmonary arterial pressure as Ppv was varied. Both techniques indicated that the pertinent backpressure to flow was the greater of either Pcrit or Ppv and that PA was never the pertinent backpressure to flow. Also, our results indicate no significant change in the geometry of the flow channels between zone 2 and zone 3. These findings refine the zonal model of the pulmonary circulation.


Introduction 114Natural history 114Complications and extra-cardiac manifestations 114Physical signs 114Investigations 116Management 116Large communication between the systemic and pulmonary circulations at atrial, ventricular, or arterial level: → high pulmonary blood flow (L-to-R shunt);→ development of high pulmonary vascular resistance;...


1965 ◽  
Vol 208 (1) ◽  
pp. 130-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. J. A. Cropp

The resistance to blood flow in the pulmonary circulation of dogs (PVR) increased when their lungs were ventilated with 95–100% oxygen and were perfused with blood that recirculated only through the pulmonary circulation; the systemic circulation was perfused independently. This increase in PVR occurred even when nerves were cut or blocked but was abolished by inhaled isopropylarterenol aerosol. Elevation of intra-alveolar Po2 without increase in pulmonary arterial blood Po2 was sufficient to increase pulmonary vascular resistance. The pulmonary venules or veins were thought to be the likely site of the constriction. These reactions were qualitatively similar to those produced by injection of serotonin or histamine into the pulmonary circulation. The time course of the response and failure to obtain it when the blood was perfused through the remainder of the body before it re-entered the pulmonary circulation are compatible with a theory that high intra-alveolar O2 tension activates a vasoconstrictor material in the pulmonary parenchyma.


1985 ◽  
Vol 249 (3) ◽  
pp. H570-H576 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Soifer ◽  
R. D. Loitz ◽  
C. Roman ◽  
M. A. Heymann

The factors responsible for maintaining the normally low pulmonary blood flow and high pulmonary vascular resistance in the fetus are not well understood. Since leukotrienes are potent pulmonary vasoconstrictors in many adult animal species, we determined whether leukotrienes were perhaps involved in the control of the fetal pulmonary circulation by studying the effects of putative leukotriene end organ antagonists in two groups of fetal lambs. In six fetal lambs studied at 130-134 days gestation, FPL 55712 increased pulmonary blood flow by 61% (P less than 0.05) and reduced pulmonary vascular resistance by 45% (P less than 0.05). There was a small increase in heart rate but no changes in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures and systemic arterial blood gases. In six other fetal lambs studied at 130-140 days gestation, FPL 57231 increased pulmonary blood flow by 580% (P less than 0.05) and decreased pulmonary vascular resistance by 87% (P less than 0.05). Pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures decreased (P less than 0.05), and heart rate increased (P less than 0.05). Leukotriene end organ antagonism significantly increases fetal pulmonary blood flow and decreases pulmonary vascular resistance. Leukotrienes may play a role in the physiological control of the fetal pulmonary circulation.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document