Effects of carbon dioxide on bronchoconstriction after pulmonary artery occlusion

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Abstract
The etiology of localized hypoventilation following pulmonary artery occlusion was studied in normal dogs and in dogs with a lung denervated by autotransplantation. Hypoventilation was demonstrated by differential bronchospirometry and radioiso-tope ventilation scanning. Hypoventilation was reversible by ventilation with a gas mixture containing 6% CO2 in both normal animals and those with lung denervation. Total ventilation was essentially unchanged but a shift of 21% away from the occluded side to the normal side was demonstrated. These data show that CO2 has a direct effect on the bronchial tree and that central neural connections are not necessary for this phenomenon to be operative. The validity of the ventilation scan in demonstrating the hypoventilation following pulmonary occlusion is confirmed.