Regional hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in prone pigs

J Appl Physiol (1985). 2005 Jul;99(1):363-70. doi: 10.1152/japplphysiol.00822.2004. Epub 2005 Mar 17.

Abstract

Hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is known to affect regional pulmonary blood flow distribution. It is unknown whether lungs with well-matched ventilation (V)/perfusion (Q) have regional differences in the HPV response. Five prone pigs were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated (positive end-expiratory pressure = 2 cmH2O). Two hypoxic preconditions [inspired oxygen fraction (FI(O2)) = 0.13] were completed to stabilize the animal's hypoxic response. Regional pulmonary blood Q and V distribution was determined at various FI(O2) (0.21, 0.15, 0.13, 0.11, 0.09) using the fluorescent microsphere technique. Q and V in the lungs were quantified within 2-cm3 lung pieces. Pieces were grouped, or clustered, based on the changes in blood flow when subjected to increasing hypoxia. Unique patterns of Q response to hypoxia were seen within and across animals. The three main patterns (clusters) showed little initial difference in V/Q matching at room air where the mean V/Q range was 0.92-1.06. The clusters were spatially located in cranial, central, and caudal portions of the lung. With decreasing FI(O2), blood flow shifted from the cranial to caudal regions. We determined that pulmonary blood flow changes, caused by HPV, produced distinct response patterns that were seen in similar regions across our prone porcine model.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Flow Velocity
  • Female
  • Hypoxia / physiopathology*
  • Lung / blood supply*
  • Lung / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Oxygen Consumption
  • Prone Position*
  • Pulmonary Circulation*
  • Pulmonary Ventilation*
  • Regional Blood Flow
  • Swine
  • Vasoconstriction*
  • Ventilation-Perfusion Ratio