Dynamic alveolar mechanics in four models of lung injury

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether pathological alterations in alveolar mechanics (i.e., the dynamic change in alveolar size and shape with ventilation) at a similar level of lung injury vary depending on the cause of injury. Design and setting: Prospective controlled animal study in a university laboratory. Subjects: 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats (300-550 g). Interventions: Rats were separated into one of four lung injury models or control (n=6): (a) 2% Tween-20 (Tween, n=6), (b) oleic acid (OA, n=6), (c) ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI, PIP 40/ ZEEP, n=6), (d) endotoxin (LPS, n=6). Alveolar mechanics were assessed at baseline and after injury (PaO2/FIO2 <300 mmHg) by in vivo microscopy. Measurements: Alveolar instability (proportional change in alveolar size during ventilation) was used as a measurement of alveolar mechanics. Results: Alveoli were unstable in Tween, OA, and VILI as hypoxemia developed (baseline vs. injury: Tween, 7±2% vs. 67±5%; OA: 3±2% vs. 82±9%; VILI, 4±2% vs. 72±5%). Hypoxemia after LPS was not associated with significant alveolar instability (baseline vs. injury: LPS, 3±2 vs. 8±5%). Conclusions: These data demonstrate that multiple pathological changes occur in dynamic alveolar mechanics. The nature of these changes depends upon the mechanism of lung injury. © Springer-Verlag 2005.