Pulmonary microvascular response to prostacyclin (PGI2) infusion in unanesthetized sheep

We studied the effect of prostacyclin (PGI2) infusion and cessation of infusion on the pulmonary microcirculation. We used lung lymph flow (QL) and the lymph to plasma protein ratio as sensitive indices of net fluid (QF) and protein flux (CP). After a 4-h base line period, we infused PGI2 (0.2 micrograms . kg(-1).min(-1) into eight unanesthetized sheep for 2 h. We monitored vascular pressures and lymph during infusion and for another 18 h after PGI2. During infusion, QL and cardiac output increased by 75 and 50%, respectively, over base line, whereas the lymph-to-plasma ratio (L/P) remained constant for both albumin and globulin. This resulted in a significant increase in both fluid and protein flux. Pulmonary vascular pressures remained unchanged, whereas mean aortic pressure decreased. The increase in QF and CP was felt to be due to an increase in the surface area of fluid exchange vessels rather than increased permeability. After infusion, cardiac output rapidly returned to base line, whereas mean QL remained increased by 70% over base line for 2-8 h. Mean L/P decreased from 0.65 to 0.53. Pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance increased. The increase in QL and decrease in L/P indicate a rebound increase in pulmonary microvascular pressure in the postperfusion period.