Changes in the respiratory gas tensions of a pneumonectomy space and their application to the diagnosis of bronchopleural fistula.
The oxygen (pO2) and carbon dioxide (pCO2) gas tensions of a pneumonectomy space were studied in an animal model. The 2 gases were measured in a standard blood gas analyser. The space gas pO2 and pCO2 equilibrated to a steady state within 48 hours of thoracotomy (pO2 mean 53.9 +/- 9.3 SD torr; pCO2 mean 44.8 +/- 9.9 SD torr). In the presence of a bronchopleural fistula (BPF), the pO2 rose significantly (mean pO2 118.4 +/- 13.2 SD torr; p less than 0.001). The space pCO2 usually fell, but the response was inconsistent (mean pCO2 33.6 +/- 16.4 SD; p = NS). A further rise in space pO2 could sometimes be induced by allowing the animals to breathe 100% oxygen by face mask. Data from 4 clinical cases of BPF support the concept that measurement f the space gas pO2 could be used as a bedside test for BPF.
R K
RK
Firmin
K
K
Turley
S
S
Jacobs
P A
PA
Ebert
D000818:Animals; D001983:Bronchial Fistula / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D010100:Oxygen