Abstract
We have originally developed a new model of ARI by injecting the seawater endotracheally. This method was proved to establish a stable state of ARI withwout depressing the cardiac function significantly. Using this model of dogs, venovenous bypass for ECMO (V-V ECMO) was carried out by changing ventilation-perfusion ratio (V/Q ratio) to 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 at each bypass flow rate of 40%, 60% and 80% of pre-perfusion cardiac output. Changes in blood-gas and hemodynamics were evaluated at each condition to reveal the effects of V-V ECMO. Although little evaluation of PaO2 was observed, significant reduction of PaCO2 could be obtained even at a low bypass flow rate. It was considered that PaCO2 coud be controlled not only by changing the bypass flow rate but also by alternating V/Q ratio. Since the circulatory derrangement would scarecely occur by V-V ECMO, this way of ECMO was considered clinically useful particularly for CO2 removal.
