Pulmonary dynamics of radiolabelled erythrocytes and leucocytes in early gram-negative sepsis in pigs.
OBJECTIVE
To study the pulmonary dynamics of erythrocytes and leucocytes in vivo in early experimental sepsis.


METHODS
Open, experimental study.


METHODS
Academic research laboratory, Sweden.


METHODS
10 adolescent domestic pigs.


METHODS
Technetium (99mTc) labelling of erythrocytes (n = 5), and indium (111In) labelling of autologous leucocytes (n = 10). Sepsis was induced by endotoxin (n = 4) or live Escherichia coli (n = 3), given intravenously.


METHODS
Regional pulmonary scintigraphy, central haemodynamics, and gas exchange followed for 180 minutes.


RESULTS
Septic animals developed arterial hypoxia, pulmonary hypertension, and systemic hypotension. They also had an early increase in mean (SD) regional pulmonary erythrocyte and leucocyte counts [+10.3 (7.7)% and +12.0 (3.5)%, respectively] with a simultaneous maximum 27-32 minutes after the start of the septic insult.


CONCLUSIONS
The immediate sepsis-induced pulmonary accumulation of leucocytes as detected by external scintigraphy can be ascribed at least in part to a simultaneous sepsis-induced increase in pulmonary blood volume.
Walther
S
S
Department of Surgery, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden.
Wenyao
S
S
Lennquist
S
S
D000818:Animals; D001810:Blood Volume / Q000502:physiology; D004906:Erythrocyte Count; D004912:Erythrocytes; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes; D008168:Lung / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000502:physiology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012772:Shock, Septic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013552:Swine; D013667:Technetium
D007205:Indium Radioisotopes; D013667:Technetium