Pulmonary hemodynamics and blood flow characteristics in chronic pulmonary hypertension.
BACKGROUND
Lung transplantation is now an acceptable form of therapy for pulmonary hypertension, but controversy remains regarding the most appropriate surgical procedure. In this study, the changes in pulmonary vascular mechanics occurring in the setting of pulmonary hypertension were investigated using an adult canine model of monocrotaline pyrrole-induced pulmonary hypertension.


METHODS
Animals underwent pulmonary artery catheterization to measure right heart pressures before and 8 weeks after injection of either 3 mg/kg of monocrotaline pyrrole (n = 8) or placebo (n = 8). Eight weeks after injection, hearts underwent instrumentation with an ultrasonic flow probe and micromanometers. Harmonic derivation of functional data was achieved with Fourier analysis.


RESULTS
Significant increases in mean pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were observed after monocrotaline pyrrole injection. There was no significant difference in pulmonary blood flow. However, significant increases in input resistance and right ventricular hydraulic power with significant decreases in transpulmonary efficiency were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
Pulmonary hypertension causes significant alterations in pulmonary hemodynamics. Pulmonary blood flow is maintained by a significant increase in total power but with a significant decrease in transpulmonary efficiency. This adult canine model of pulmonary hypertension provides a useful means by which to evaluate surgical options of lung transplantation for improving pulmonary hemodynamics in the setting of chronic pulmonary hypertension.
Chen
E P
EP
Department of Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Bittner
H B
HB
Craig
D M
DM
Davis
R D
RD
Van Trigt
P
P
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005583:Fourier Analysis; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D016686:Monocrotaline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000502:physiology*; D011669:Pulmonary Wedge Pressure; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014655:Vascular Resistance
C014114:monocrotaline pyrrole; D016686:Monocrotaline