Potential role of the bronchial circulation in control of the pulmonary circulation

J. Mlczoch, Edward K Weir, J. V. Weil, R. F. Grover

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Abstract

The role of the bronchial circulation in regulating the pulmonary circulation is still uncertain. In the dog no precapillary communication between bronchial and pulmonary arteries have been demonstrated, but constriction of a constantly perfused lobar pulmonary artery was reported after administration of vaso active substances directly into a bronchial artery (Circ Res 37:285, 1975). The purpose of this study was to see, if injection of Prostaglandin F(2α) (PGF(2a)), a potent pulmonary vasoconstrictor, into the ascending aorta would affect the pulmonary pressures because of passage through the bronchial circulation and this was compared to injection into the vena cava and the descending aorta. Following a single injection (50μg) into ascending aorta (AAo), descending aorta (DAo) and vena cava (VC), the pulmonary arterial PPA and wedge (PW) pressures, as well as heart rate (HR) and systemic pressure (PS) were measured up to 0.8 minutes in 0.1 minute intervals. Injection into the AAo produced essentially the same PPA pressure response as injection into the VC; these responses were not statistically different in either magnitude or time course. In contrast, injection into DAo produced a delayed response in PPA pressure, which was significantly smaller than either of the former. Wedge pressure changes were not significant after VC and AAo injection. In addition to these findings a significant increase in PS and HR was observed after AAo injection, but not after DAo injection, which is probably caused by a direct effect of PGF(2a) on the central nervous system. The rapid increase in the pulmonary pressure after AAo application is thought to be due to the passage of PGF(2a) through the bronchial circulation to the vasa vasorum. These data suggest a possible role of the bronchial circulation in influencing pulmonary pressure through vaso active substances.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Number of pages1
JournalAmerican Review of Respiratory Disease
Volume113
Issue number4 II
StatePublished - Jan 1 1976
Externally publishedYes

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