Longitudinal Distribution of Pulmonary Vascular Compliance in Dogs

Abstract

The longitudinal distribution of pulmonary vascular compliance was evaluated in isolated canine lung lobes using arterial-(AO), venous-(VO), and double-occlusion (DO) techniques. Total vascular compliance (C_T) was separated into pulmonary arterial (Ca) and venous compliance (C_v) in lumped model of pulmonary circulation. Under constant pulmonary venous pressure (P_v) at 5 mmHg, blood inflow to the lobe (Q) was gradually increased by changing pulmonary arterial pressure (Pa) from 10 to 22 mmHg at 4 mmHg ranges. Changes in vascular blood volume (ΔV) with each increment in Q were determined by decreased reservoir blood volume of perfusion system. DO was performed at each level of Q and allowing all vascular pressures to equilibrate at the same static pressure (Ps), which was equal to the compliance-weighted average pressure in the circulation. C_T was obtained from the slope of the relationship between Ps and ΔV. When Pa and Pv were 14 and 5 mmHg, AO, VO, and DO were performed to measure pressures at Ca (Pca) and Cv (Pcv) and Ps. The arterial-to-venous compliance ratio (Ca/Cv) was evaluated using Pca, Pcv, and Ps measurements. C_T was 0.113±0.012ml/kg/mmHg. Ca/Cv was 0.30. Ca and Cv were 0.026±0.013 and 0.087±0.007 ml/kg/mmHg, respectively. These data demonstrated the usefulness of AO, VO, and DO techniques in evaluating the longitudinal distribution of compliance in canine pulmonary vasculature.