The effects of cromolyn sodium in dogs undergoing high-frequency oscillation superimposed on conventional mechanical...

The effects on gas exchange of superimposition of high-frequency oscillation (HFO) (40 Hz) on conventional mechanical ventilation were investigated in mongrel dogs with eucapnic gas exchange on conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV). The dogs were anesthetized, paralyzed, and ventilated with CMV until stable. Oscillation was then superimposed for 15 min, followed by CMV alone for a further 30 min. During HFO superimposed on CMV (CMV-HFO), the arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2) increased from 43.6 +/- 1.2 mm Hg to 47.2 +/- 1.4 mm Hg (p less than 0.02), whereas the arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) did not change at all. The change was inhibited completely by administration of intravenous cromolyn sodium (CS) (6 mg/kg/min). The mean pulmonary arterial pressure (mPAP), cardiac output (CO), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) did not change during the experiment. These results demonstrate that CMV-HFO appears to cause CO2 accumulation and eliminates the impaired O2 transfer, and that these effects are inhibited completely by CS administration.