Ventilatory responses to embolization of lung

Abstract

Marked changes in respiratory rate and volume occurred when anesthetized and spontaneously breathing dogs were subjected to pulmonary embolization with barium sulfate. Following embolization, there was a statistically significant fall in lung compliance, and, although a rise in pulmonary air-flow resistance occurred in the majority of instances, this change was not statistically significant. When the dogs were ventilated in approximately the resting tidal range by means of a pump and embolization was carried out, a statistically significant fall in lung compliance as well as a significant rise in pulmonary resistance was seen. Embolization of spontaneously breathing vagotomized animals in three instances revealed a fall in lung compliance and a rise in pulmonary resistance. The experimental observations of others are reviewed and the clinical implications are discussed. Submitted on October 28, 1960