title: Measuring end-expiratory lung volume and pulmonary mechanics to detect early lung function impairment in rabbits.
abstract: We investigated whether end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) or lung mechanical parameters are more sensitive for the detection of a compromised gas exchange during bronchoconstriction and after surfactant depletion. EELV was determined via SF(6) multiple breath wash-outs in mechanically ventilated rabbits while a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) of 1, 3 or 7 cm H(2)O was maintained. Airway resistance (R(aw)) and parenchymal elastance (H) were estimated from the pulmonary input impedance measured at each PEEP level by means of forced oscillations. Measurements were repeated during i.v. methacholine (MCh) infusions and following lung injury induced by saline lavage. MCh induced marked elevations in R(aw), with no significant change in EELV or H at any PEEP. After lavage, the severity of hypoxia was reflected systematically in significant decreases in EELV at all PEEP levels (-42+/-13%, -26+/-4%, and -18+/-5% at 1, 3 and 7 cm H(2)O, respectively), whereas compromised gas exchange was not associated with consistent changes in the mechanical parameters at a PEEP of 7 cm H(2)O (20+/-9% and 14+/-9% in R(aw) and H, respectively; p=0.2). We conclude that R(aw) is the only sensitive indicator for the detection of a compromised lung function during MCh infusions, whereas the estimation of EELV is necessary to follow the progression of a lung injury when a high PEEP level is applied.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Anesthesia Unit, Geneva Children's Hospital, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Habre
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scalfaro
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schütz
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stucki
authors.forename: Ferenc
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Peták
mesh_terms: D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011817:Rabbits; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests / Q000379:methods*; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016085:Bronchoconstrictor Agents; D016210:Methacholine Chloride