title: Effects of environmental tobacco smoke on the pulmonary circulation in the ovine fetus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Epidemiologic studies have highlighted an association between maternal smoking and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant. However, the impact of exposure to tobacco smoke on the perinatal pulmonary circulation is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the pulmonary vascular effects of environmental tobacco smoke in the fetus.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed surgery on 16 fetal lambs and placed catheters in the main pulmonary artery, aorta, and left atrium to measure pressures. An ultrasonic blood flow transducer was placed around the left pulmonary artery to measure blood flow. The ewes were exposed to tobacco smoke for 2 hours. In another set of experiments, the pulmonary vascular response to increased fetal O(2) tension has been assessed after 2 hours of tobacco smoke inhalation or not (control group).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Exposure to tobacco smoke decreased pulmonary blood flow by 30% and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance by 40%. The vasodilator response to increased O(2) tension was blunted after smoke inhalation compared with control animals. Smoke inhalation was associated with a decrease in fetal PaO(2) and SaO(2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke in pregnant ewes impairs both basal tone and vascular reactivity of the fetal lung.
authors.affiliation: Faculté de Médecine, Université Lille-Nord de France, France.
authors.forename: Veronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Houfflin-Debarge
authors.forename: Ethel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sabbah-Briffaut
authors.forename: Estel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Aubry
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Deruelle
authors.forename: Ceneric
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alexandre
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Storme
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000187:drug effects*; D005333:Fetus / Q000187:drug effects*; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D011247:Pregnancy; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D012756:Sheep; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution