Hemodynamics in experimental gastric juice induced aspiration pneumonitis

To characterize hemodynamic changes during experimental aspiration pneumonitis, paying special attention to echocardiographic assessment.

Animal study in a university-based research laboratory.

Fourteen mechanically ventilated New Zealand white rabbits

We instilled 1 ml/kg human gastric juice (mean pH: 4.1 + 0.2) intratracheally. Hemodynamic and respiratory parameters were measured every hour for 4 h, associated with a transthoracic echocardiography.

Lung injury occurred within 1 hour with a marked decrease in PaO₂/FIO₂ and an increase in plateau pressure; after this initial drop the ratio remained stable throughout the experiment. Seven rabbits experienced only a mild to moderate alteration in lung oxygenation function as defined by a PaO₂/FIO₂ ratio above 200 (group A), while the other seven developed a severe alteration with a ratio below 200 (group B). At the end of the experiment pH and cardiac output were lower in group B than in group A. Using a PaO₂/FIO₂ threshold value of 150, pH, mean arterial pressure, and cardiac output were lower in the animals with the more severe hypoxemia. Neither left nor right ventricular dysfunction occurred during the experiment, and no animal experienced circulatory failure

Experimental aspiration pneumonitis after intratracheal infusion of human gastric juice is characterized by a stable fall in PaO₂/FIO₂. Animals with the most severe lung injury experienced a lower systemic arterial pressure, cardiac output, and metabolic acidosis without circulatory failure or cardiac dysfunction.