The effects of ventilation with positive end-expiratory pressure on the bronchial circulation

We studied the effects of ventilation with 10 cm H2O PEEP for 2 h in dogs with temporary unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion (TUPAO) on bronchial blood flow to the occluded lung using the microsphere dispersion technique. We found that blood flow to the occluded left lung in dogs was 9.9 ml/min (0.122 ml X min-1 X g-1). Within 30 min following the addition of 10 cm H2O PEEP blood flow fell by 70-80% (to 2.3 ml/min) caused both by a 3-fold decrease in vascular conductance and a 25% fall in systemic blood pressure. The reduction in left bronchial blood flow persisted for at least 2 h. We conclude from these data that ventilation with PEEP in the presence of pulmonary artery occlusion has a severe, persistent adverse effect on bronchial blood flow. This reduction in bronchial blood flow is beyond what can be explained by the changes in airway pressure. The additional increase in bronchial vascular resistance may be caused by the increase in lung volume, by reflex bronchial vasoconstriction, or by release of mediators locally.