Hemodynamic and humoral conditions under various pulmonary blood flow during venoarterial bypass (VAB) were quantitatively investigated in a series of chronic animal experiments. A biventricular bypass system was installed in 6 adult goats weighing 50.0±1.1 kg. Two weeks later the extracorporeal circuitry was changed to VAB without anesthesia. The PAF was reduced stepwise from 100% to 50, 25, 10 and 0% of total systemic flow. The mean aortic pressure (mAoP) and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) decreased in proportion to the decrease in PAF and caused a sort of shock state at 0% PAF. The prostaglandin E
2 (PGE
2) concentration increased following the decrease in PAF from 100 to 0%. The renin-angiotensin system increased in proportion to the decrease in PAF. In contrast, the catecholamines concentrations did not change appreciably even at 10% PAF, but were markedly elevated at 0% PAF. The antidiuretic hormone level similarly changed. In conclusion, decrease in PAF during VAB exerts significant effects on the hemodynamics. The changes in the levels of vasodilators, especially PGE
2, may play a substantial role in the decrease in SVR, whereas changes in vasoconstrictors are likely to be a secondary reaction to the decrease in mAoP.
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