FAILURE OF POSITIVE END-EXPIRATORY PRESSURE TO DECREASE LUNG WATER-CONTENT IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED PULMONARY-EDEMA

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Abstract
The effect of 10 cm H2O of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on pulmonary extravascular water volume (PEWV) was measured in an animal model of noncardiogenic pulmonary edema. Three groups of dogs were studied: controls, those given a saline infusion plus alloxan and those which received saline infusion plus alloxan and PEEP. All dogs were ventilated with a constant volume ventilator. Mean PEWV (.+-. SEM [standard error of the mean]) in mm/g of dry lung weight was 4.00 .+-. 0.21 for group 1, 6.01 .+-. 0.70 for group 2 and 5.77 .+-. 0.83 for group 3, respectively. Mean PEWV increased significantly in both alloxan groups compared to the control group (for both, P < 0.05); PEWV did not differ significantly in the group that received PEEP, compared to the group ventilated without PEEP. Arterial PO2 [O2 partial pressure] and airway pressure required to deliver a constant tidal volume did not change significantly in the experimental groups compared to the control group. PEEP does not decrease lung water content in pulmonary edema caused by damage to fluid-exchanging vessels.