THE INFLATIONARY FORCE PRODUCED BY PULMONARY VASCULAR DISTENTION IN EXCISED LUNGS. THE POSSIBLE RELATION OF THIS FORCE TO THAT NEEDED TO INFLATE THE LUNGS AT BIRTH

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Abstract
The role that increased pulmonary blood flow at birth may play in expanding the lungs was studied by measuring the pressures developed in the lungs during acute vascular congestion. Measurements were made in excised lungs of 4 adult cats, 1 adult dog, 5 fetal dogs, and 2 stillborn infants. When the lungs were at minimum volume, the effect of vascular distension was in the direction of facilitating expansion but it was not of sufficient magnitude to initiate it. When the lungs were partially distended by fluid, the expansile effect of vascular congestion was negligible. The presence of a volume of fluid in the lungs, however, while minimizing the effects of vascular congestion, permitted expansion at a lower airway pressure than that required for lungs at minimal volume.

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