Objective: To evaluate the effect of acute multiple pulmonary microthromboembolism on circulation, ventilation, lung histology, and the coagulatory and fibrinolytic functions.
Methods: Thirteen dogs were studied, 7 in the embolism group and 6 in the control group. 10 ml of blood was withdrawn from each animal. Thrombi were formed and cut into pieces of 1 mm to 2 mm in size. The thrombi were counted, and 300 thrombi were infused at one time back to the same animal. PAP, PAWP, VO(2), DO(2), D-dimer, protein C, protein S were measured before and immediately, 30 min, 1 hour, 2 hour after embolism.
Results: PAP was increased immediately after embolisation, and then decreased at 1 hour. The level of D-dimer was elevated at an early stage. Pulmonary hemorrhage, consolidation and microembolism were observed.
Conclusions: Multiple microthromboembolism caused lung injury and thrombosis. PAP was increased at the early stage, but ventilation was not affected. The level of D-dimer changed at the early stage of thromboembolism.