Effects of nitroprusside on lung mechanics and hemodynamics after endotoxemia in awake sheep

We examined the effects of intravenous sodium nitroprusside (NP) infusion on pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa), pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), dynamic compliance (Cdyn), resistance to airflow across the lungs (RL), and alveolar-arterial O2 pressure gradient (PAO2-PaO2) (room air) after endotoxemia in awake sheep. NP infused 2.5 h after endotoxin administration immediately reduced mean Ppa from 30 +/- 3 to 17 +/- 3 (SE) cmH2O, PVR from 6.3 +/- 0.7 to 4.8 +/- 0.5 cmH2O.l-1.min, and RL from 340 +/- 48 of base line to 205 +/- 73% and increased Cdyn from 54 +/- 5 of base line to 80 +/- 14% without affecting PAO2--PaO2. Ppa and lung mechanics returned immediately to preinfusion levels when NP was stopped. In vitro experiments with NP showed a dose-dependent relaxation of preconstricted pulmonary artery and vein, carbachol-preconstricted sheep tracheal strips, and bronchial rings. We conclude that NP reverses pulmonary hypertension and lung mechanics abnormalities after endotoxin and that this is due to effects of NP on airway and vascular smooth muscle. The return of these abnormalities after NP cessation suggests the continued presence of vascular and airway-constricting factors late after endotoxin. The lack of effect of NP on blood oxygenation suggests that deleterious effects on hypoxic vasoconstriction are offset by improved lung mechanics.