Effects of alternating lung ventilation on cardiopulmonary functions in dogs

The effects of intrathoracic pressure during continuous two-lung ventilation for thoracoscopy on the cardiorespiratory parameters in sevoflurane anaesthetized dogs

The cardiopulmonary effects of different levels of carbon dioxide insufflation (3, 5 and 2 mm Hg) under two-lung ventilation were studied in six sevoflurane (1.5 minimum alveolar concentration; MAC) anaesthetized dogs during left-sided thoracoscopy. An arterial catheter, Swan-Ganz catheter and multianaesthetic gas analyser were used to monitor the cardiopulmonary parameters during the experiment. Baseline data were obtained before intrathoracic pressure elevation and the measurements were repeated at intervals after left lung collapse induced by insufflation with carbon dioxide gas. The intrapleural pressure levels used were 3, 5 and 2 mm Hg. Arterial blood pressures, cardiac index, stroke index, left and right ventricular stroke work index, arterial haemoglobin saturation, arterial oxygen tension and systemic vascular resistance decreased significantly during hemithorax insufflation, whereas heart rate, right atrial pressure, mean, systolic and diastolic pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance and arterial carbon dioxide tension significantly increased during intrapleural pressure elevation. Although carbon dioxide insufflation into the left hemithorax with an intrapleural pressure of 2-5 mm Hg compromises cardiac functioning in 1.5 MAC sevoflurane anaesthetized dogs, it can be an efficacious adjunct for thoracoscopic procedures. Intrathoracic view was satisfactory with an intrapleural pressure of 2 mm Hg. Therefore, the intrathoracic pressure rise during thoracoscopy with two-lung ventilation should be kept as low as possible. Additional insufflation periods should be avoided, since a more rapid and more severe cardiopulmonary depression can occur.

Haemodynamic and respiratory conditions during alternating and synchronous ventilation of both lungs

OBJECTIVE

We tested the hypothesis that mean thoracic expansion (and mean lung volume) is lower during alternating ventilation (AV), i.e. ventilation of both lungs with a phase shift of half a ventilatory cycle, compared to synchronous ventilation (SV) of both lungs. As a consequence, intrathoracic pressure will be lower, causing lower, central venous pressure and higher cardiac output.

DESIGN

In eight anaesthetized and paralysed piglets, differential ventilation was established by fixation of an endobronchial tube in the left main bronchus. SV and AV were sequentially applied for four and three periods, respectively, of 10 minutes each. Minute ventilation was the same during AV and SV and adapted to normocapnia. Two series of observations were performed: series 1 with intact thorax and monitoring of oesophageal pressure; series 2 after perforation of the sternum, airtight closure of the thorax and monitoring of pericardial pressure.

RESULTS

In both series, mean lung volume was 16 +/- 4% lower and central venous, oesophageal (series 1) and pericardial pressures (series 2) were 0.5-0.7 mmHg lower during AV compared to SV (all p < 0.001). In series 1, aortic pressure was 5 mmHg and cardiac output 8% higher (both p < 0.001). In series 2, cardiac output was 5% higher during AV (p < 0.001), but aortic pressure did not change (p = 0.07).

CONCLUSION

Our data verified the hypothesis. The lower oesophageal (series 1), pericardial (series 2) and central venous pressures during AV compared to SV could be explained by the smaller thoracic expansion due to the lower mean lung volume, which was attributed to compression of the opposite lung by the, expansion of the inflated lung.

Alternating versus synchronous ventilation of left and right lungs in piglets

OBJECTIVE

We tested whether alternating ventilation (AV) of each lung (i.e. with a phase difference of half a ventilatory cycle) would decrease central venous pressure and so increase cardiac output when compared with simultaneous ventilation (SV) of both lungs.

THEORY

If, during AV, the inflated lung expands partly via compression of the opposite lung, mean lung volume will be smaller during AV than SV. As a consequence, mean intrathoracic pressure (as cited in the literature), and therefore, central venous pressure will be smaller.

DESIGN

The experiments were performed in seven anaesthetized and paralyzed piglets using a double-piston ventilator. Minute ventilation was the same during AV and SV. Starting at SV, we alternated three times between AV and SV for periods of 10 min.

RESULTS

During AV, central venous pressure was decreased by 0.7 mmHg and cardiac output was increased by 10 +/- 4.4% (mean, +/-SD) compared with SV. AV also resulted in increased arterial pressure. During one-sided inflation with closed outlet of the opposite lung, a pressure rise occurred in the opposite lung, indicating compression.

CONCLUSION

The higher cardiac output during AV than SV can be explained by the fact that central venous pressure is lower during AV. This lower central venous pressure is very probably due to the lower mean intrathoracic pressure caused by compression of the opposite lung during unilateral inflation.

Sevoflurane anaesthesia for one-lung ventilation with PEEP to the dependent lung in sheep: effects on right ventricular function and oxygenation

This study was undertaken to examine the effect of sevoflurane on right ventricular function, the safety of sevoflurane for one-lung ventilation and the effects of PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure) to the dependent lung in this model using 12 open-chest sheep. Haemodynamic variables, including cardiac output, mean arterial blood pressure, right ventricular pressure and pulmonary arterial pressure, and right ventricular segment shortening (sonomicrometry) were measured. First, animals received 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0% sevoflurane for 20 min each, respectively, during two-lung ventilation to measure the dose-dependent haemodynamic effects of sevoflurane. Then one-lung ventilation was performed with a randomized sequence of 0 (ZEEP), 5 and 10 cm H2O PEEP to the dependent lung under 2.0% sevoflurane anaesthesia after one-hour stabilization. A decrease in systolic segment shortening along with increases in both the end-diastolic and end-systolic lengths of the right ventricle were observed at 3.0 and 4.0% sevoflurane, while global right ventricular function remained substantially unchanged during two-lung ventilation. During one-lung ventilation the PaO2 was greater with 5 cm H2O PEEP 198 mmHg (+/- 25 SEM) than with ZEEP 138 mmHg (+/- 22) or with 10 cm H2O PEEP 153 mmHg (+/- 23) (P < 0.05). No differences in haemodynamic variables or segment shortening between ZEEP and PEEPs during one-lung ventilation were observed. We conclude that although sevoflurane causes a dose-dependent depression of right ventricular function, sevoflurane anaesthesia can be safely applied to one-lung ventilation, and that 5 cm H2O PEEP to the dependent lung can improve arterial oxygenation without causing changes in right ventricular function.

Differential lung ventilation with a double-lumen tracheostomy tube in unilateral refractory atelectasis

Two patients with refractory hypoxemia due to unilateral lung atelectasis were treated with differential lung ventilation (DLV) through a Robertshaw-type, double-lumen tracheostomy tube. DLV was applied using two non-synchronized ventilators and maintained for 6 and 3 days, respectively. Ventilator settings were chosen in accord to the clinical, laboratory and chest X-rays results. Particularly, tidal volume and PEEP were set to avoid excessively high alveolar pressure and to obtain the highest possible value of compliance. We investigated the mechanical properties of the two lungs separately by measuring airway pressure and compliance of each lung before the beginning of DLV and at 0, 5, 24, and 48 h after. Initially we observed in both patients very low values of compliance (7-9 cm H2O/l) and a significant level of PEEPi (12-8 cm H2O) of the diseased lung, whereas PEEPi in the healthy lung was negligible. The clinical improvement was assessed by sequential chest X-rays and by significant improvement of arterial blood gas and PaO2/FiO2 ratios and was associated with a progressive increase of compliance (24-22 cm H2O/l) and by a fall of PEEPi levels (5-4 cm H2O) of the diseased lung. We also observed an improvement of SvO2, O2AVI, PVRI and Qva/Qt values (Case 1). The tracheostomy tube used to apply DLV was very reliable, allowing easy nursing care and selective bronchial aspirations. We conclude that DLV is a very useful technique in unilateral lung pathology, and it can be a life saving procedure in selected patients, by supplying volume and PEEP more efficiently to the affected lung.

Monitoring lung mechanics and airway pressures during differential lung ventilation (DLV) with emphasis on weaning from DLV

Fifteen polytrauma patients with asymmetric pulmonary contusion were treated with differential lung ventilation (DLV) for a mean of 106 hours (range 24-298, median 83). The differential time constant (Tc), compliance (Ct), inspiratory and expiratory airway resistance (Rawinsp, Rawexp) and peak-airway pressure (Pawpeak) were monitored to evaluate the function of each lung. Values measured after starting DLV were compared to those obtained prior to stopping DLV in order to analyse whether these parameters had returned to symmetrical values when recommencement of conventional mechanical ventilation was considered on clinical parameters and also whether these could be useful criteria for weaning from DLV. The significant difference in Tc of the contused lung compared to the contralateral lung after starting DLV is mainly determined by altered Ct resulting from contusion. During DLV improvement of Ct resulted in identical Tc of both lungs prior to stopping DLV. Changes in the Rawinsp contributed little to changes in Tc. Identical Tc prior to stopping DLV coincided with identical Pawpeak on symmetrical ventilator settings. These data suggest that when less advanced monitoring equipment is available, the differential Pawpeak might be used as a measure of differential lung mechanics in asymmetrical pulmonary contusion.

Phrenic Nerve and vagal nerve activities during differential lung ventilation in cats

The effect of differential lung ventilation (DLV) on afferent vagal and efferent phrenic nerve activities was studied in urethane anesthetized cats. One endotracheal tube was inserted into the left bronchus to ventilate its side lung. Another tube was inserted until its tip reached about 1 cm above the carina to ventilate the right lung. Using two respirators, each lung was ventilated independently. Using hooked silver electrodes, the vagal and phrenic nerve activities were recorded. The afferent vagal nerve was activated in concurrence with lung inflation at any ventilation rate. The right and left vagal nerves were activated by right and left lung ventilation, respectively. On the other hand, the right and left efferent phrenic nerves were synchronized, whether the ventilation was discussed or ventilation was achieved by right or left one lung ventilation or even by asynchronous DLV. The phrenic nerve activity was surpressed by one-lung, right or left, ventilation independently, so that the rhythm of the phrenic nerve was disturbed by asynchronous DLV. From these results, to reduce the stress of patients during asychronous DLV, it was considered that patients need heavier sedation than a usual mechanical ventilatory support.

Effect of selective PEEP on pulmonary blood flow following unilateral hydrochloric acid aspiration in the dog

We investigated the effect of unilateral or bilateral positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on pulmonary perfusion in 12 dogs with a hydrochloric acid aspiration injury of the left lung. The lungs were ventilated separately and PEEP was applied to the left lung at 10 cmH2O (1.0 kPa) in six and at 15 cmH2O (1.5 kPa) in six others. Measurements of the right and left pulmonary arterial blood flows (QR and QL) and venous admixture were made before, during and after PEEP. After this study, 5 and 10 cmH2O (0.5 and 1.0 kPa) PEEP were applied to both lungs in six dogs and measurements were repeated. Following the application of PEEP to the left lung, a significant decrease in QL and increase in QR were observed. However, the application of PEEP to both lungs was followed by significant decreases in both QL and QR. The cardiac output decreased slightly during unilateral PEEP and markedly during bilateral PEEP. The venous admixture decreased significantly during PEEP in all the groups. These findings indicate that selective PEEP causes a transfer of pulmonary blood flow from the injured lung to the normal lung, improving ventilation-perfusion inequality, and improves gas exchange without impeding oxygen delivery.