title: Pulsatile and nonpulsatile pressure-flow relationships in zone 3 excised rabbit lungs.
abstract: We compared the effects of pulsatile vs. nonpulsatile flow (Q) on pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa)-Q relationships in zone 3 over wide ranges of pulse rate, stroke volume (SV), and Q. Excised left lungs of rabbits (n = 15) were perfused with tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-buffered Tyrode solution containing 4% dextran, 1% albumin, and 10 mg/l of indomethacin and were ventilated with room air. Pulsatile Q was generated by a diaphragm pump delivering SV of 0.5, 1, or 2 ml (representing approximately 0.3, 0.6, and 1.2 times, respectively, the normal resting SV for rabbit left lung) and adjusting the pump frequency. Nonpulsatile Q was generated by raising an arterial reservoir to the required height. Mean pulmonary arterial (Ppa) and left atrial pressures were measured at end exhalation (positive end-expiratory pressure = 2.5 cmH2O) near the tips of the perfusion cannulas and were referenced to the lung base. Left atrial pressure was held constant at 7 cmH2O.Q was alternated between pulsatile and nonpulsatile, increasing Q stepwise from 100 to 600 ml/min (Q from approximately 0.3 to 2 times the normal resting Q for rabbit left lung), after which Q was reduced stepwise back to initial values. For the smallest SV there were no differences between Ppa-Q curves under pulsatile and nonpulsatile conditions. At the largest SV, Ppa was greater during pulsatile than nonpulsatile Q at Q > 100 ml/min. The slopes of the Ppa-Q curves were greater during pulsatile Q at the two larger SV values. These results can be explained by increasing Q turbulence and less ideal velocity profiles at higher peak Q resulting from the effects of rapidly changing inertial forces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Saito
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Lamm
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hildebrandt
authors.forename: R K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Albert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000502:physiology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009929:Organ Size / Q000502:physiology; D010477:Perfusion; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D011674:Pulse / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology*; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000502:physiology