Lung Function and Morphology after Hemorrhagic Shock, Soft Tissue Trauma and Regional Ischemia in Dogs

Abstract

Among 40 dogs submitted to 1 of 3 experimental shock procedures: hemorrhagic shock, soft tissue trauma or regional ischemia, 24 dogs fulfilled the criteria of irreversible shock, based on survival or characteristic hemodynamic and metabolic changes. The 24 dogs were studied by measurements of lung function and hemodynamics. During the shock period no impairment of lung function was observed. The pulmonary shunting ratio fell and pulmonary vascular resistance increased. The macroscopical aspect of the lungs did not differ from that of 10 control dogs. The microscopical examination of the lungs, performed after infusion fixation, revealed only a higher granulocyte infiltration in traumatic shock and more severe congestion in hemorrhagic shock.

Adipose tissue: a neglected organ in the response to severe trauma?

“…The lungs are particularly susceptible to injury caused by distant organ trauma [ 12 , 25 , 90 ]. Severe soft (adipose) tissue trauma can be sufficient to robustly increase the numbers of inflammatory cells and especially neutrophils in the lungs and to disturb lung tissue oxygenation [ 39 , 110 ]. These inflammatory mediators also contribute to renal failure [ 16 , 76 , 124 ] and can suppress cardiac function [ 67 , 135 ] (Fig.…”