Effect of one-lung ventilation on oxygen delivery in anesthetized dogs with an open thoracic cavity

To evaluate effects of one-lung ventilation on oxygen delivery in anesthetized dogs with an open thoracic cavity.

8 clinically normal adult Walker Hound dogs.

Each dog was anesthetized and subjected to one-lung ventilation during a period when it had an open thoracic cavity. A Swan-Ganz catheter was used to measure hemodynamic variables and obtain mixed-venous blood samples. A catheter was inserted in the dorsal pedal artery to measure arterial pressure and obtain arterial blood samples. Oxygen delivery index was calculated and used to assess effects of one-lung ventilation on cardiopulmonary function. Effects on hemodynamic and pulmonary variables were analyzed.

One-lung ventilation caused significant decreases in PaO2, arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2), mixed-venous oxygen saturation, and arterial oxygen content (CaO2). One-lung ventilation caused significant increases in PaCO2, physiologic dead space, and alveolar-arterial oxygen difference. Changes in SaO2, CaO2, and PaCO2, although significantly different, were not considered to be of clinical importance. One-lung ventilation induced a significant increase in pulmonary arterial wedge pressure, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and shunt fraction. One-lung ventilation did not have a significant effect on cardiac index, systemic vascular resistance index, pulmonary vascular resistance index, and oxygen delivery index.

One-lung ventilation affected gas exchange and hemodynamic function, although oxygen delivery in clinically normal dogs was not affected during a period with an open thoracic cavity. One-lung ventilation can be used safely in healthy dogs with an open thoracic cavity during surgery.