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Injection of barium sulfate microemboli into the right side of the heart of paralyzed, artificially ventilated cats increased pulmonary resistance, decreased pulmonary compliance and functional residual capacity, and increased end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure and anatomic dead space. These effects could be due to constriction of terminal respiratory units without significant narrowing of the large airways, which may actually enlarge. Anatomic studies, performed after rapid freezing of the lungs in the open thorax, showed that the principal site of constriction was the alveolar ducts. Intravenous isoproterenol partially or completely prevented the changes following microembolism, suggesting that they were due to smooth muscle contraction. Vagotomy, injection of heparin or atropine or guanethedine, or inhalation of 6% carbon dioxide did not prevent the changes; prior injections of 48/80 decreased the changes. These studies suggest that the embolism-induced changes depend on histamine release. The varied manifestations of barium sulfate microembolism, including the shift of ventilation to the unaffected areas, atelectasis of embolized areas, anoxemia, and abnormal breathing pattern may depend on the presence and extent of contraction of peripheral respiratory units induced by liberation of histamine. terminal airway constriction; histamine release; lung compliance; pulmonary resistance; airway anatomy; alveolar duct; muscle Submitted on August 30, 1963

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To investigate the motor control of the pulmonary airways we combined electrical stimulation of the cervical efferent vagus nerves of cats and dogs with measurement of pulmonary resistance (Rl) and anatomic dead space (Vd), and with anatomic study of rapidly frozen lungs. Stimulus frequencies between 1 and 12/sec produced almost the full range of Rl responses in eight cats. The major constrictor response to stimulation of one vagus nerve was in the lung of the same side in dogs and cats. A decrease of Vd associated with the increase of Rl in five cats during bilateral vagal stimulation suggested that the Rl change resulted from a generalized or large airway narrowing, rather than a local constriction. In seven cats whose lungs were frozen at end inspiration during unilateral vagal stimulation, the lobar bronchi on the stimulated side were smaller in diameter than comparable bronchi of the other side. In only two of seven cats was there definite constriction of the small cartilaginous and membranous airways of the stimulated side by the criterion of longitudinal mucosal ridges; in two there was slight constriction and in the other three, no change. Respiratory bronchioles and alveolar ducts of frozen sections were not constricted. pulmonary resistance; vagus nerve distribution; anatomy of pulmonary airways; vagus nerve impulse frequency; sympathetic nerve inhibition Submitted on May 1, 1964