Changes in lung mechanics and ventilation-perfusion match: comparison of pulmonary air- and thromboembolism in rats

Pulmonary air embolism (AE) and thromboembolism lead to severe ventilation-perfusion defects. The spatial distribution of pulmonary perfusion dysfunctions differs substantially in the two pulmonary embolism pathologies, and the effects on respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, and ventilation-perfusion match have not been compared within a study. Therefore, we compared changes in indices reflecting airway and respiratory tissue mechanics, gas exchange, and capnography when pulmonary embolism was induced by venous injection of air as a model of gas embolism or by clamping the main pulmonary artery to mimic severe thromboembolism.

Anesthetized and mechanically ventilated rats (n = 9) were measured under baseline conditions after inducing pulmonary AE by injecting 0.1 mL air into the femoral vein and after occluding the left pulmonary artery (LPAO). Changes in mechanical parameters were assessed by forced oscillations to measure airway resistance, lung tissue damping, and elastance. The arterial partial pressures of oxygen (PaO₂) and carbon dioxide (PaCO₂) were determined by blood gas analyses. Gas exchange indices were also assessed by measuring end-tidal CO₂ concentration (ETCO₂), shape factors, and dead space parameters by volumetric capnography.

In the presence of a uniform decrease in ETCO₂ in the two embolism models, marked elevations in the bronchial tone and compromised lung tissue mechanics were noted after LPAO, whereas AE did not affect lung mechanics. Conversely, only AE deteriorated PaO₂, and PaCO₂, while LPAO did not affect these outcomes. Neither AE nor LPAO caused changes in the anatomical or physiological dead space, while both embolism models resulted in elevated alveolar dead space indices incorporating intrapulmonary shunting.

Our findings indicate that severe focal hypocapnia following LPAO triggers bronchoconstriction redirecting airflow to well-perfused lung areas, thereby maintaining normal oxygenation, and the CO₂ elimination ability of the lungs. However, hypocapnia in diffuse pulmonary perfusion after AE may not reach the threshold level to induce lung mechanical changes; thus, the compensatory mechanisms to match ventilation to perfusion are activated less effectively.