Effect of aminophylline on regional perfusion distribution in the lungs

Using ten normal dogs, the right upper lobe of the lung was isolated in vivo by a balloon catheter and was artificially ventilated with nitrogen, air, 60% oxygen in nitrogen, and 60% oxygen and 20% carbon dioxide in nitrogen, while the rest of the lungs maintained a spontaneous breathing of ambient air. Aminophylline did not show a vasodilating action under severe alveolar hypoxia (PAO2: ca. 40 mmHg); on the contrary, it seemed to potentiate hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. When the regional alveolar oxygen tension became less hypoxic (PAO2: ca. 70 mmHg) or higher than that in the rest of the lungs which spontaneously breathed ambient air, aminophylline showed a definite vasodilating action. Aminophylline also showed a vasodilating action in alveolar hypercapnia in the presence of alveolar hyperoxia.