Pulmonary venodilation by isoflurane improves gas exchange during Escherichia coli bacteremia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine how isoflurance affects the longitudinal distribution of pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary gas exchange during Escherichia coli bacteremia.


METHODS
Prospective, controlled study with open-label assignment of animals to two groups.


METHODS
Laboratory.


METHODS
Goehingen minipigs.


METHODS
Induction of acute respiratory failure by a 4-hr infusion of live E. coli bacteria in 12 animals; six animals anesthetized with methohexital/piritramide; six animals anesthetized with isoflurane. The control group consisted of four animals that received the same surgical procedure, but no E. coli infusion. Two animals were anesthetized with methohexital/piritramide and two with isoflurane, respectively.


RESULTS
Cardiac output and pressures were measured by means of an arterial catheter, Swan-Ganz catheter, and a left atrial catheter. Effective pulmonary capillary pressure was evaluated graphically from a pulmonary artery occlusion pressure decay. Arterial-alveolar PO2 ratio was calculated to evaluate pulmonary function. Measurements were performed before and after 1, 2, and 3.5 hrs of E. coli infusion. Statistical significance was tested with analysis of variance (ANOVA). E. coli infusion caused hypodynamic shock, an increase in pre- and postcapillary pulmonary vascular resistance and respiratory failure. Postcapillary pressure gradient and effective pulmonary capillary pressure were lower in the isoflurane-group. Methohexital-anesthetized animals developed pulmonary dysfunction after 1 hr of bacteremia, whereas isoflurane-anesthetized animals developed pulmonary dysfunction after 3.5 hrs of E. coli infusion (significantly different, ANOVA, p < .05). There were no significant changes in the sham group.


CONCLUSIONS
Isoflurane is a pulmonary venodilator. During lethal E. coli infusion, it ameliorates the increase in pulmonary capillary pressure and preserves pulmonary function until vascular permeability increases.
Fretschner
R
R
Klinik für Anaesthesiologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Universitaet Tuebingen, Germany.
Klöss
T
T
Guggenberger
H
H
Deusch
H
H
Schmid
H J
HJ
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000150:complications*; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008723:Methohexital / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010892:Pirinitramide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014655:Vascular Resistance / Q000187:drug effects; D014692:Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio
D010892:Pirinitramide; D007530:Isoflurane; D008723:Methohexital