Pediatric research
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The use of a multiple gas rebreathing method for the measurement of cardiopulmonary function in mechanically ventilated neonates was evaluated. The following indices of cardiopulmonary function were assessed in 20 piglets (mean weight, 2.3 kg): 1) pulmonary capillary blood flow (Qc), 2) diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), 3) lung gas volume (FRC), 4) oxygen consumption (VO2), and 5) volume of the pulmonary tissues and capillaries (VTPC), the latter an estimate of total lung water. During mechanical ventilation at zero end expiratory pressure, all rebreathing parameters correlated well with body weight. ⋯ Unlike the situation with the normal piglets, when PEEP was increased from zero to 10 cm H2O in the oleic acid-infused piglets, the values for FRC and VTPC significantly increased. Mean VTPC at 10 cm H2O was 20 +/- 2 ml/kg which correlated well (r = 0.93) with the postmortem total lung water value of 19 +/- 1 g/kg. Thus, multiple gas rebreathing methodology is applicable to studies using small animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)