RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) on lung tissue. METHODS: We conducted this study on 20 rabbits in the Ataturk University Medical Faculty, Erzurum, Turkey in 2005. Experimental SAH was applied to all animals under general anesthesia. After 20 days, all animals were sacrificed. Their lungs were examined histopathologically. RESULTS: Foamy hemorrhagic parenchymal lesions, alveolar rupture, and subintimal fluid collection in the pulmonary vasculature were observed in the lungs of the non-surviving animals. However, minimal changes were found in the lungs of the surviving animals (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that luminal narrowing of the lung vessels due to subintimal fluid collection plays an important role in the development of pulmonary hypertension and neurogenic pulmonary edema in SAH.
RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Methylprednisolone and lidocaine are commonly used in acute lung injury caused by acid aspiration. The aim of this study is to demonstrate if these 2 agents, given at an early stage, can reduce lung damage and improve oxygenation. METHODS: The study was carried out at the animal laboratories of Ataturk University, Medical Faculty, Erzurum, Turkey during the year 2002, and performed on a rabbit acid aspiration model. At an early stage, the controls were given saline solution, the second group was given lidocaine, and the third group was given methylprednisolone. The neutrophil count was determined hourly. After 6 hours of mechanical ventilation, lung biopsy was performed for histopathology. RESULTS: Neutrophils increased with time. The controls showed much more severe histopathological changes than the 2 treatment groups. Methylprednisolone was more effective than lidocaine at reducing lung damage. CONCLUSION: Histopathology suggests that acid aspiration induced acute lung injury can be effectively treated by lidocaine and methylprednisolone, if applied early. The latter appears to be the more effective.