Hemodynamics and gas exchange during angioscopy in the dog

We have previously developed a technique for the in vivo visualization of the pulmonary arteries in the experimental animal with a fiberoptic instrument (angioscope). To assess the potential hemodynamic and gas exchange effects of angioscopy, we studied five dogs before and after pulmonary embolization. Sequential observations were made of arterial blood gases, mean arterial pressure, pulmonary artery pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and the electrocardiogram. The most common arrhythmias were ventricular premature contractions which were comparable to those seen with right heart catheterization. Statistically significant, but clinically minor, effects were found on cardiac output, mean arterial pressure, and heart rate in dogs when angioscopy was performed after pulmonary embolization. We conclude that fiberoptic angioscopy does not induce deleterious effects on hemodynamics or gas exchange in the experimental animal, prior to or after embolization.