Pigs are not a reliable experimental model in the study of the haemodynamic and respiratory effects of CO2 pneumoperitoneum.
BACKGROUND
Haemodynamic and respiratory effects of a CO2 pneumoperitoneum (intra-abdominal pressure = 12 mmHg) associated to a head-up position(15 degrees ) were studied in 20 pigs using a Swan-Ganz catheter and the Single Breath Test for CO2. The pneumoperitoneum induced a moderate rise in mean arterial pressure (+17%) (P<0.001) without any variation in heart rate, cardiac output and systemic vascular resistances.


RESULTS
The following respiratory effects were observed: an increase in PaCO2 (+20%) (P<0.001), PE'CO2 (+31%) (P<0.001), expired volume of CO2 (+28%) (P<0.001), arterial to end-tidal CO2 gradient (+80%) (P<0.001) and alveolar dead space (+40%) (P<0.001) occured. Alveolar ventilation remained stable. Finally and contrary to healthy human patient, intraperitoneal CO2 insufflation in pig induced slight haemodynamic changes and major respiratory modifications.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, our data do not support the conclusion that the pig is a reliable experimental model for studying the pathophysiology of CO2 pneumoperitoneum-induced changes in haemodynamic and respiratory parameters, in human patients.
Richard
L
L
Department of Anesthesia, Jean Bernard Hospital, University School of Medecine, Poitiers, France. laurent.richard@ch-niort.fr
Bures
E
E
Lacoste
L
L
Declerck
A
A
Carretier
M
M
Debaene
B
B
Fusciardi
J
J
D000818:Animals; D001944:Breath Tests; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D006439:Hemodynamics; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D023421:Models, Animal; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation; D012126:Respiratory Dead Space; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics; D013552:Swine
D002245:Carbon Dioxide