[The effect of various types of oxygenators on the pulmonary microvessels and surfactant activity]

Experiments were conducted on 28 dogs to study the changes of microvessels and their effect on the functional condition of pulmonary surfactants after 120-minute venoarterial perfusion and extrapulmonary gas exchange with the use of a foamy-film oxygenator and a "Sever" membrane oxygenator. A direct relationship between the condition of the microvessels and changes of pulmonary surfactant activity was revealed: factors (contact type oxygenators) causing an unfavourable effect on the terminal link of pulmonary circulation induced rapid (in 2-3 hours) development of disturbances in the surfactant system. These changes are less marked in membrane oxygenation.