Using an expiratory resistor, arterial pulse pressure variations predict fluid responsiveness during spontaneous breathing: an experimental porcine study.

INTRODUCTION: Fluid responsiveness prediction is difficult in spontaneously breathing patients. Because the swings in intrathoracic pressure are minor during spontaneous breathing, dynamic parameters like pulse pressure variation (PPV) and systolic pressure variation (SPV) are usually small. We hypothesized that during spontaneous breathing, inspiratory and/or expiratory resistors could induce high arterial pressure variations at hypovolemia and low variations at normovolemia and hypervolemia. Furthermore, we hypothesized that SPV and PPV could predict fluid responsiveness under these conditions. METHODS: Eight prone, anesthetized and spontaneously breathing pigs (20 to 25 kg) were subjected to a sequence of 30% hypovolemia, normovolemia, and 20% and 40% hypervolemia. At each volemic level, the pigs breathed in a randomized order either through an inspiratory and/or an expiratory threshold resistor (7.5 cmH2O) or only through the tracheal tube without any resistor. Hemodynamic and respiratory variables were measured during the breathing modes. Fluid responsiveness was defined as a 15% increase in stroke volume (DeltaSV) following fluid loading. RESULTS: Stroke volume was significantly lower at hypovolemia compared with normovolemia, but no differences were found between normovolemia and 20% or 40% hypervolemia. Compared with breathing through no resistor, SPV was magnified by all resistors at hypovolemia whereas there were no changes at normovolemia and hypervolemia. PPV was magnified by the inspiratory resistor and the combined inspiratory and expiratory resistor. Regression analysis of SPV or PPV versus DeltaSV showed the highest R2 (0.83 for SPV and 0.52 for PPV) when the expiratory resistor was applied. The corresponding sensitivity and specificity for prediction of fluid responsiveness were 100% and 100%, respectively, for SPV and 100% and 81%, respectively, for PPV. CONCLUSIONS: Inspiratory and/or expiratory threshold resistors magnified SPV and PPV in spontaneously breathing pigs during hypovolemia. Using the expiratory resistor SPV and PPV predicted fluid responsiveness with good sensitivity and specificity.

Does a solitary lobar collapse give pressure-lung volume relationship similar to that found in acute respiratory distress syndrome? A porcine experimental study.

BACKGROUND: The underlying pathophysiology causing different shapes of static pressure-lung volume (PV) curves is not fully elucidated. In this study the aim was to examine the influence of a solitary lobar collapse on inflation-deflation PV curves. The hypothesis was that a lobar collapse would induce the same changes in the PV-curve as those found in experimental acute lung injury (ALI) and in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: In four mechanically ventilated, anaesthetized pigs, the right lower lobe was collapsed by selective lavage and exsufflation. End-expiratory lung volume and static inflation-deflation PV curves of the respiratory system, the chest wall and the lung were obtained before formation of the collapse. After creation of the collapse, the same measurements were performed in the non-collapsed lung and in the whole lung including the lobar collapse. In two animals computed tomography was performed to verify the lobar collapse. RESULTS: The solitary lobar collapse changed the PV curve by inducing a significant hysteresis and a right shift of lower inflexion point (LIP) on the inflation limb, but had minimal influence on the deflation limb. After creation of the lobar collapse, LIP was found at the pressure at which the collapse started to expand. CONCLUSIONS: PV curves of lungs with solitary lobar collapse are similar to those found in ALI/ARDS. Inspiratory LIP indicated start of recruitment, and expiratory curves did not indicate the pressure at which collapse occurred.

Apneic oxygenation combined with extracorporeal arteriovenous carbon dioxide removal provides sufficient gas exchange in experimental lung injury.

We hypothesized that apneic oxygenation, using an open lung approach, combined with extracorporeal CO2 removal, would provide adequate gas exchange in acute lung injury. We tested this hypothesis in nine anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs (85-95 kg), in which surfactant was depleted from the lungs by repeated lung lavage. After a lung recruitment maneuver, the tracheal tube was connected to 20 cm H2O continuous pressure (100% O2) for oxygenation of the blood. A pumpless membrane ventilator (interventional lung assist by Novalung) was connected in an arteriovenous shunt for CO2 removal. PaO2 and PaCO2 were recorded for 3.5 hours. PaO2 was 464 (403, 502) mm Hg (median and interquartile range) throughout the experiment. The O2 uptake through the lungs was 185 (164, 212) ml/min. PaCO2 increased asymptotic towards 60 mm Hg. The CO2 removal through the membrane ventilator was 180 (150, 180) ml/min. Thus, the method provided adequate gas exchange in this experimental model, suggesting that it might have potential as an alternative treatment modality in acute lung injury.

Alveolar recruitment can be predicted from airway pressure-lung volume loops: an experimental study in a porcine acute lung injury model.

INTRODUCTION: Simple methods to predict the effect of lung recruitment maneuvers (LRMs) in acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are lacking. It has previously been found that a static pressure-volume (PV) loop could indicate the increase in lung volume induced by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in ARDS. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that in ALI (1) the difference in lung volume (DeltaV) at a specific airway pressure (10 cmH2O was chosen in this test) obtained from the limbs of a PV loop agree with the increase in end-expiratory lung volume (DeltaEELV) by an LRM at a specific PEEP (10 cmH2O), and (2) the maximal relative vertical (volume) difference between the limbs (maximal hysteresis/total lung capacity (MH/TLC)) could predict the changes in respiratory compliance (Crs), EELV and partial pressures of arterial O2 and CO2 (PaO2 and PaCO2, respectively) by an LRM. METHODS: In eight ventilated pigs PV loops were obtained (1) before lung injury, (2) after lung injury induced by lung lavage, and (3) after additional injurious ventilation. DeltaV and MH/TLC were determined from the PV loops. At all stages Crs, EELV, PaCO2 and PaO2 were registered at 0 cmH2O and at 10 cmH2O before and after LRM, and DeltaEELV was calculated. STATISTICS: Wilcoxon's signed rank, Pearson's product moment correlation, Bland-Altman plot, and receiver operating characteristics curve. Medians and 25th and 75th centiles are reported. RESULTS: DeltaV was 270 (220, 320) ml and DeltaEELV was 227 (177, 306) ml (P < 0.047). The bias was 39 ml and the limits of agreement were - 49 ml to +127 ml. The R2 for relative changes in EELV, Crs, PaCO2 and PaO2 against MH/TLC were 0.55, 0.57, 0.36 and 0.05, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for MH/TLC of 0.3 to predict improvement (>75th centile of what was found in uninjured lungs) were for EELV 1.0 and 0.85, Crs 0.88 and 1.0, PaCO2 0.78 and 0.60, and PaO2 1.0 and 0.69. CONCLUSION: A PV-loop-derived parameter, MH/TLC of 0.3, predicted changes in lung mechanics better than changes in gas exchange in this lung injury model.

Are selective lung recruitment maneuvers hemodynamically safe in severe hypovolemia? An experimental study in hypovolemic pigs with lobar collapse.

BACKGROUND: We have previously shown, in normovolemic pigs, that a selective lung recruitment maneuver (S-LRM), i.e., insufflation of air-oxygen via a balloon catheter with its tip located in the bronchus of a collapsed lung lobe, effectively improves oxygenation and lung volume without affecting hemodynamics negatively. In this study, we examined the respiratory and circulatory effects of S-LRM during hypovolemia with compromised circulation. METHODS: In eight ventilated (fraction of inspired oxygen, Fio2 1.0) and anesthetized pigs a balloon catheter was inserted in the bronchus of the right lower lung lobe. The lobe was selectively lavaged to create a dense lobar collapse. The pigs were then subjected to S-LRM (40 cm H2O airway pressure for 30 s) at normovolemia, after venesection of 20% and 40% of the blood volume, respectively. Blood gases, compliance of the respiratory system (Crs), vascular pressures, and cardiac output were registered before, during, and after the S-LRM. RESULTS: Pao2, venous admixture, and Crs improved significantly with S-LRM at all three volume levels. No change in hemodynamics with S-LRM occurred in normovolemia and 20% hypovolemia. For 40% hypovolemia, cardiac output was unchanged by S-LRM, whereas minor decreases in mean arterial blood pressure were seen: 48 (37-52) mm Hg (median, 25th and 75th percentiles) 3 min before S-LRM, 40 (35-44) mm Hg at the end of S-LRM (P = 0.0207), and 47 (39-54) mm Hg 3 min after S-LRM. CONCLUSION: A S-LRM effectively improved oxygenation and Crs and had only minor circulatory side effects, even in severe hypovolemia in this animal model of lobar collapse.

Selective recruitment maneuvers for lobar atelectasis: effects on lung function and central hemodynamics: an experimental study in pigs.

We investigated whether selective lung recruitment of a lobar collapse would improve oxygenation and lung volume as well as a general (global) lung recruitment maneuver, with fewer circulatory side effects. In 10 ventilated, anesthetized pigs, a bronchial blocker was inserted in the right lower lobe, which was selectively lavaged to create a dense lobar collapse. The pigs were randomized into two orders of lung recruitment maneuvers (40 cm H2O airway pressure for 30 s): either a selective lung recruitment maneuver (using the inner lumen of the bronchial blocker) followed by a general lung recruitment maneuver, or vice versa. Median end-expiratory lung volume and median Pao2 increased significantly by approximately 100 mL and 16 kPa, respectively, with no significant differences between the two recruitment methods. There were no circulatory changes during the selective lung recruitment maneuver, but during the general lung recruitment maneuver, mean arterial blood pressure decreased significantly by 36 (21, 41) mm Hg (median, 25th and 75th percentiles), cardiac output by 2.1 (1.6, 2.5) L/min and left ventricular end-diastolic area by 4.4 (3.5, 4.5) cm2. In conclusion, a selective recruitment maneuver improved lung function similar to a general lung recruitment maneuver but without any circulatory side effects.

[Spondylodiscitis as a complication to ultrasound-guided transrectal prostatic biopsy]. / Spondylodiscitis som komplikation til UL-vejledt transrektal prostatabiopsi.

We report a case of spondylodiscitis and psoas abscess induced by transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy in a 70-year-old man. Multi-resistant E. coli was cultured, and the patient was cured after several trials with antibiotic treatments.