Beta-adrenergic agonist therapy accelerates the resolution of hydrostatic pulmonary edema in sheep and rats.
To determine whether beta-adrenergic agonist therapy increases alveolar liquid clearance during the resolution phase of hydrostatic pulmonary edema, we studied alveolar and lung liquid clearance in two animal models of hydrostatic pulmonary edema. Hydrostatic pulmonary edema was induced in sheep by acutely elevating left atrial pressure to 25 cmH(2)O and instilling 6 ml/kg body wt isotonic 5% albumin (prepared from bovine albumin) in normal saline into the distal air spaces of each lung. After 1 h, sheep were treated with a nebulized beta-agonist (salmeterol) or nebulized saline (controls), and left atrial pressure was then returned to normal. beta-Agonist therapy resulted in a 60% increase in alveolar liquid clearance over 3 h (P < 0.001). Because the rate of alveolar fluid clearance in rats is closer to human rates, we studied beta-agonist therapy in rats, with hydrostatic pulmonary edema induced by volume overload (40% body wt infusion of Ringer lactate). beta-Agonist therapy resulted in a significant decrease in excess lung water (P < 0.01) and significant improvement in arterial blood gases by 2 h (P < 0.03). These preclinical experimental studies support the need for controlled clinical trials to determine whether beta-adrenergic agonist therapy would be of value in accelerating the resolution of hydrostatic pulmonary edema in patients.
Frank
J A
JA
Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia, Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0130, USA.
Wang
Y
Y
Osorio
O
O
Matthay
M A
MA
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D016279:Atrial Function, Left / Q000502:physiology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002417:Cattle; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008196:Lymph / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D009330:Nebulizers and Vaporizers; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D051381:Rats; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012756:Sheep
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D000420:Albuterol