Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026

Increasing Pulmonary Artery Pulsatile Flow Improves Hypoxic Pulmonary Hypertension in Piglets
Published on: May 11, 2015
Effects of extrathoracic mechanical ventilation on pulmonary hypertension secondary to lung disease
Yoko Sato1, Noriyuki Saeki2, Takuma Asakura2,3
1Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Tokyo Women's Medical University, 8-1 Kawada-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 162-8666, Japan. yok.s@nifty.com.
Purpose:
Biphasic cuirass ventilation (BCV) is a form of non-invasive extrathoracic positive and negative pressure mechanical ventilation. The present study was conducted to quantify our positive experience using BCV to dramatically improve gas exchange and cardiac function in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic respiratory failure and secondary pulmonary hypertension (PH).
Methods:
BCV was applied for 2 weeks in 17 patients with PH caused by lung disease. Ventilation sessions were limited to 1 h per day to prevent exhaustion. To assess respiratory and circulatory effects, percutaneous arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) was measured before and after each daily BCV session, and right heart catheter test [mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP), right atrium pressure (RAP), pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP) and cardiac index (CI)] and serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were measured before and after a series of BCV sessions.
Results:
SpO2 transiently improved after each BCV session. After a series of BCV, mPAP decreased from 27.2 to 22.4 mmHg (p = 0.0007). PAOP, CI and serum NT-proBNP levels decreased compared with baseline. No patients were treated with epoprostenol, iloprost, bosentan or sildenafil for PH.
Conclusion:
BCV may improve circulatory function in patients with PH caused by lung disease.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Pulmonary Hypertension: Classification and Pathogenesis
There are various classifications for PH, each relating to different underlying causes and also...
Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue,...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Endothelin Receptor Antagonists
ETs are synthesized through a complex sequence of enzymatic steps, primarily involving an enzyme referred to as endothelin-converting enzyme...
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation...

