The effect of hypoxia on extravascular lung water

Abstract

To examine the effect of hypoxia on extravascular lung water (EVLW), rats were divided into 3 groups. The first group (G1, n=9) rats as control were allowed to breathe air spontaneously. The second group (G2, n=9) and the third group (G3, n=7) rats were mechanically ventilated for 1 hour with room air and with 10% oxygen in nitrogen, respectively. Subsequently, lungs were removed and EVLW were measured by the improved gravimetric method. Values of EVLW/(blood-free lung dry weight) are 3.64±0.23 (mean±SD) in G1, 3.97±0.29 in G2 and 4.04±0.33 in G3. There were significant differences in values between G1 and G2, and between G1 and G3. Mechanical ventilation increased EVLW. In conclusion, 1 hour hypoxia did not affect EVLW. Hypoxia did not induce hydrostatic pulmonary edema nor permeability edema.