AORTA-PULMONARY SHUNTS IN GROWING PIGS - FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT OF THE CHANGES IN THE PULMONARY CIRCULATION

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 77  (1) , 109-118
Abstract
Aorta-pulmonary shunts were produced in growing pigs, age 4-12 wk by anastomosing the thoracic descending aorta to the pulmonary trunk, and the animals were followed for periods of 1-3 mo. Comparison of hemodynamics and lung structure, analyzed by quantitative methods, showed that the young group (operated on at age 4 wk) developed more severe pulmonary hypertension with increased muscularization of arteries of all sizes and reduction in size of those running with respiratory bronchioli and beyond. Since this response is similar to that in cases of left-to-right shunt associated with congenital heart defects and pulmonary hypertension early in life, the early response of the growing lung to hemodynamic disturbance was reproduced.