Abstract
Leukocyte count, platelet count, PO2 and PCO2 were measured during hemodialysis in mongrel dogs. Each sample was obtained from pulmonary artery, left atrium and venous line of the artificial kidney, before dialysis, and then 15, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 minutes after initiation of dialysis. Repetitive lung biopsies were done at the same time. Additionally, pulmonary arterial pressure, left atrial pressure and cardiac output were recorded continuously during hemodialysis. Total pulmonary resistance (TPR) and shunt ratio were calculated. Leukocyte count was reduced after the start of dialysis in all dogs, but transpulmonary difference in leukocyte count were not found. So-called pulmonary vascular leukostasis or microembolization was not observed in all specimens. Hypoxemia during dialysis was observed in two dogs, in which marked increase in TPR and mild to moderate increase in shunt ratio were also observed. Other four dogs, which showed no marked hypoxemia, also showed no increase in TPR and shunt ratio. It is suggested that the cause of dialysis-induced hypoxemia might be related to the pulmonary vasoconstriction of unknown mechanism.
