EFFECTS UPON THE LUNG OF VARYING PERIODS OF TEMPORARY OCCLUSION OF THE PULMONARY ARTERY

THE EXACT sensitivity of pulmonary tissue to ischemia is not known. The purpose of the present investigation was to determine the sensitivity of the lung to varying periods of ischemia produced by temporary complete occlusion of one pulmonary artery. Temporary occlusion of the pulmonary artery may be indicated in certain circumstances; for example, to control bleeding during partial resection of the lung or following injuries to the lung. The data which will be presented in this paper indicate that the lung is relatively less sensitive to ischemia than are many other tissues, notably the central nervous system and the heart.

MATERIALS AND METHODS  Monkeys (Macacus rhesus) were used. Ether anesthesia was administered by means of an intratracheal tube. All our observations were made on the left lung. In this way the technical procedures could be standardized. The left lung was exposed through an incision made over the left fifth rib.