Effects of plasma- and cell-free perfusates on filtration coefficient of perfused canine lungs

The filtration coefficient (Kf,c) of the microvessels in isolated dog lungs were studied for whole and diluted blood, whole and diluted plasma, Tyrode's solution, and Tyrode's plus dextran (4%, 63,000 mol wt) perfusates. When whole blood and plasma were diluted, Kf,c increased abruptly at a plasma protein concentration between 4 and 5 g/l, an effect which was not dependent on the erythrocyte mass. Both Tyrode's and Tyrode's plus dextran produced increases in Kf,c (60 and 30%, respectively). The difference in Kf,c measured between these latter perfusates was completely abolished when Kf,c were corrected for viscosity differences. Thus the pulmonary microvasculature responds similarly to the systemic circulation in that complete removal of plasma proteins from the perfusate increases Kf,c by 50%. This effect is independent of erythrocyte mass or colloid osmotic pressure of the perfusate, since perfusion with dextran solutions alone also increased Kf,c.