Abstract
Pulmonary uptake of norepinerphrine (NE) was measured in patients with ARDS. The relationship between the clinical course, pulmonary uptake of NE and pathogenesis of hypertension frequently associated with ARDS was studied. Also the site for metabolism of NE was examined by histofluorescence and microspectrofluorometric techniques.
Pulmonary uptake of NE was 3.75±4.2% in ARDS. Each measurement was allocated one of three groups according to the date of measurement after admission to ICU. NE uptake was lowest 10-19 days after admission and improved after more than 19 days. The different NE uptake correlated with duration rather then the cause of ARDS. As compared to ARDS without hypertension, NE uptake in ARDS with hypertension decreased significantly (p<0.05). Intense amine fluorescence was seen within the endothelium of small vessels in canine lung and could be identified as NE by microspectrofluorometric technique.
These data indicate that endothelium within small vessels was identified as the major site of NE metabolism, NE uptake reflexted damage to pulmonary microvascular injury in ARDS and strongly contributed to the pathogenesis of hypertension associated with ARDS.
