Effect of negative-pressure ventilation on lung water in permeability pulmonary edema

We have previously shown (Am. Rev. Respir. Dis. 136: 886-891, 1987) improved cardiac output in dogs with pulmonary edema ventilated with external continuous negative chest pressure ventilation (CNPV) using negative end-expiratory pressure (NEEP), compared with continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV) using equivalent positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). The present study examined the effect on lung water of CNPV compared with CPPV to determine whether the increased venous return created by NEEP worsened pulmonary edema in dogs with acute lung injury. Oleic acid (0.06 ml/kg) was administered to 27 anesthetized dogs. Supine animals were then divided into three groups and ventilated for 6 h. The first group (n = 10) was treated with intermittent positive-pressure ventilation (IPPV) alone; the second (n = 9) received CNPV with 10 cmH2O NEEP; the third (n = 8) received CPPV with 10 cmH2O PEEP. CNPV and CPPV produced similar improvements in oxygenation over IPPV. However, cardiac output was significantly depressed by CPPV, but not by CNPV, when compared with IPPV. Although there were no differences in extravascular lung water (Qwl/dQl) between CNPV and CPPV, both significantly increased Qwl/dQl compared with IPPV (7.81 +/- 0.21 and 7.87 +/- 0.31 vs. 6.71 +/- 0.25, respectively, P less than 0.01 in both instances). CNPV and CPPV, but not IPPV, enhanced lung water accumulation in the perihilar areas where interstitial pressures may be most negative at higher lung volumes.