家兔侧脑室注射组胺对肺动脉血压的影响

本工作将组胺(HA)注入麻醉家兔侧脑室,观察其对肺动脉血压的影响。结果观察到(1)侧脑室注射HA(50μg)后,肺动脉压和心输出量出现升高、降低和先降后升三种变化,但以升高反应较为多见。发生上述反应时,颈动脉压升高,心率减慢。(2)切断两侧颈部迷走神经或用心脏人工起搏固定心率后,肺动脉压和心输出量均不再下降而出现恒定的升高反应。静脉注射酚妥拉明可部分阻断HA引起的肺动脉和颈动脉升压反应,但不能阻断心输出量的升高。静脉注射心得安能完全阻断HA引起的心输出量升高,但对肺动脉和颈动脉的升压反应无影响。静脉注射六甲双铵或联合应用酚妥拉明和心得安可完全消除HA引起的肺动脉压、颈动脉压和心输出量的升高反应。(3)HA的心血管效应可被H_1受体阻断剂扑尔敏阻断,但不能被H_2受体阻断剂甲氰咪胍阻断。 实验结果表明:家兔侧脑室注射HA后,在中枢H_1受体的介导下,可通过交感神经使心输出量增加,肺血管和外周血管收缩,因而肺动脉压和颈动脉压上升;也可通过迷走神经使心率减慢。而HA引起的肺动脉压下降则是继发性的,是由于心率减慢,心输出量减少所致。     

清醒羊低氧性肺动脉高压及逆转中肺血管对外源性血小板活化因子的反应

本实验复制了清醒羊低氧性肺动脉高压（ＨＰＨ）及其逆转模型,动态观察了在ＨＰＨ发生、发展及逆转中肺、体循环对外源性血小板活化因子（ＰＡＦ）的反应。结果表明：（１）ＰＡＦ对清醒羊常氧期、ＨＰＨ及ＨＰＨ逆转期均为一强效应肺血管收缩剂,且呈剂量依赖性;（２）ＨＰＨ期：ＰＡＦ对肺血管加压反应增值百分离较常氧期及ＨＰＨ逆转期低;（３）ＰＡＦ对三期体动脉压、心率无明显影响,却能降低各期心输出量。     

急性缺氧动物吸入纯氧后再缺氧损伤机理的研究

目的:观察急性缺氧动物再缺氧损伤现象及探讨其发生机理.方法:采用右心漂浮导管检测法,及放免法测定了血浆ET1含量的变化.结果:急性缺氧动物肺动脉平均压在吸入100%氧气后即明显下降,在突然停止吸氧而改吸室内空气后,下降的肺动脉压逐渐回升,5 min后恢复到吸氧前水平,但随着时间的延长,肺动脉压继续攀升,10 min后肺动脉压已明显高于吸氧前水平,15min后,肺动脉压达最高值,与此同时,缺氧动物心率、肺血管阻力、血浆ET1水平均显著高于吸氧前水平,而血氧分压反较吸氧前低.结论:急性缺氧动物存在着再缺氧损伤,而血浆ET1升高引起的肺动脉压异常升高在其发生中起重要作用.     

急性高原暴露后左心功能变化及与急性高原病的关系

目的：研究青年男性由平原急进高原后心脏血流动力学变化及其与急性高原病的关系。方法：分别检测218名健康青年男性在平原及急进高原24h内的血压、心卒和血氧饱和度,使用彩色多普勒超声仪检测左心功能;根据路易斯湖评分标准将受试者分为急性高原病纽（AMS组）和无急性高原病组（无AMS组）。结果：急性高原暴露后心率、舒张压、平均动脉压、左室射血分数、每搏输出量、每博指数、心输出量、心脏指数显著增加（P〈0．05）,血氧饱和度、左室收缩末容积则显著降低（P〈0．05）;急进高原后AMS组心率、收缩压、平均动脉压显著高于无AMS组（P〈0．05）,每博指数、左室舒张末容积显著低于无AMS组（P〈0．05）。结论：健康男性青年急性高原暴露后左心室收缩功能增强,左室舒张末容积、心率、每博指数可能作为预测急性高原病的参考指标。     

家兔油酸型急性呼吸窘迫综合征时肺动脉血压的变化

本文介绍家兔油酸型呼吸窘迫综合征时肺动脉血压的变化。静脉注入油酸后,肺血管阻力显著增加,股动脉血压、心率和心输出量均下降;肺动脉压则升高,并经历最初快速升高、相对稳定和后期升高三个时相变化。预先注射神经节阻滞剂六甲双胺或α-受体阻断剂酚妥拉明,然后注射油酸,肺动脉压的最初快速升高期不出现。切断两侧颈动脉窦神经或两侧颈部迷走神经对其并无影响。此外,在后期,六甲双胺及酚妥拉明两者均不能阻断肺动脉压的上升。上述结果表明,动物注射油酸后,肺动脉压的最初快速升高是通过交感神经实现的。肺动脉压的后期升高则是缺氧或其他因素所造成。     

实验性高原肺水肿发病机制的初步研究

本研究用Ｗｉｓｔａｒ大鼠在模拟海拔６０００ｍ高度停留４８ｈ,对实验性高原肺水肿的发病机制进行了初步观察,结果表明：（１）大鼠肺血管外含水量明显增多;（２）肺泡隔增宽,肺泡隔内血管口径大小不一,有的扩张,有的狭窄甚至闭锁,硝酸镧示踪电镜术发现肺泡上皮、血管内皮和肺泡隔内有数量不等的镧颗粒;（３）硝苯啶或地塞米松均可使肺血管外含水量明显降低,二者联合作用效果更佳;（４）血浆内心钠素（ＡＮＰ）含量明显增多,伴有体重和血液含水量明显减少。从而表明,低氧性肺动脉压升高和肺泡壁微血管壁通透性增强在高原肺水肿的发生中有重要作用。血浆ＡＮＰ增加和伴随的血液浓缩是对抗血浆进一步外渗的因素之一。     

高压氧与术前前列地尔联合治疗先天性心脏病伴重度肺动脉高压的临床效果分析

目的:观察术前前列地尔联合高压氧(hyperbaricoxygen,HBO)治疗对先天性心脏病伴发重度肺动脉高压患者的临床疗效。方法:按随机数字表法将49例室间隔缺损伴发重度肺动脉高压的患者分为对照组(n=25,常规治疗)和观察组(n=24,常规治疗+HBO辅助治疗),常规治疗以多巴胺[3-5μg/(kg·min)]、呋塞米片(5-20 mg/次,3/日)、前列地尔[2~5 ng/(kg·min)]等药物治疗以及常压间断吸氧(每次0.5 h,3次/日)治疗为主。比较2组患者入院时(T1)、术前治疗15 d后(T2)和术后治疗10 d后(T3)三个时间点体肺血流动力学变化。结果:对照组及观察组患者的平均肺动脉压(m PAP)、肺循环阻力(PVR)和肺动脉压/主动脉压比值(Pp/Ps)经术前综合治疗15 d后分别下降为(57.08±9.44)/(53.16±11.61)mm Hg、(943.81±245.86)/(927.21±119.27)dyns/cm5和(0.70±0.17)/(0.68±0.13),经术后治疗10 d后进一步下降;两组动脉血氧饱和度(Sa O2)术前治疗15 d及术后治疗10 d后均较入院时高升,而平均体循环压(m SAP)和体循环阻力(SVR)经术前治疗15d后(T2)略有下降(P0.05),但在术后10 d(T3)恢复至入院时水平(T1)。与对照组相比,观察组m PAP和PVR值经术前治疗15 d后(T2)下降更显著,Sa O2上升也更为明显(P0.05)。结论:对于先天性心脏病伴发重度肺动脉高压的患者,术前给予前列地尔药物降压的同时辅以HBO治疗可有效降低肺动脉压,提高血氧饱和度,可为手术的实施和减少术后并发症提供有利条件。     

吸烟对大鼠肺循环血流动力学及肺血管反应性的影响

本实验用大鼠29只,进行人工通气吸入烟气,初步探讨了吸烟对肺循环的影响。其中7只观察了吸烟对肺循环血流动力学的直接影响,结果表明,吸烟可致右心室收缩压、心输出量下降及心率减慢,肺循环阻力无明显改变。观察22只大鼠吸烟后缺氧所致肺循环血流动力学变化,结果表明,吸烟可使缺氧性肺血管反应降低,而且发生在肺循环血流动力学变化之前。     

低容量负荷对创伤后ARDS肺功能的保护作用研究

目的：观察低容量负荷对创伤后急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)肺功能的保护作用。方法：165 例创伤后ARDS患者随机分为 液体控制组和对照组,用脉搏指示连续心输出量监测(PiCCO)指导液体控制,观察中心静脉压(CVP)、肺动脉楔压(PAWP)、氧合指 数(PaO2/FiO2)、肺泡- 肺动脉氧分压差,测定肺泡灌洗液中白细胞介素6(IL-6)水平、血清的肺泡表面活性蛋白D(SP-D)水平的变 化,检测呼吸机脱机时间,评估两组患者肺功能的恢复情况。结果：液体控制组血管外肺水肿指数(EVLWI)、CVP、PWAP、IL-6、 SP-D 以及肺泡-动脉氧分压差均较对照组明显下降(P<0.05),动脉血气氧分压、氧合指数较均对照组明显升高(P<0.05),机械通气 支持时间较对照组明显缩短(P<0.05)。结论：严格的液体控制可有效降低人体的容量负荷,有效促进创伤后ARDS 肺损伤和肺功 能的恢复,这可能与低容量负荷能够降低炎症反应、促进肺泡复张和改善氧合效率有关。     

导管引导介入治疗急性中高危肺动脉栓塞临床研究

目的:评估导管引导介入治疗急性中高危肺动脉栓塞的有效性及安全性。方法:顾性分析2012年1月至2018年6月在柳州市工人医院血管外科诊治的112例急性中高危肺动脉栓塞患者资料。根据治疗方案分单纯抗凝组(共38例)、导管介入+抗凝治疗组(共74例),对比两组肺动脉压及肺动脉栓塞严重指数降低情况、肺栓塞症状改善率、住院时长和出血并发症发生率;以其随访中肺栓塞复发率和慢性血栓性肺动脉高压发生率。根据介入方案不同,介入治疗组包括AngioJet机械吸栓(共13例)、猪尾导管碎栓及溶栓(61例);分别对比两种介入方案术前及术后的动脉血氧分压、指脉氧、心率及肺动脉压、弥勒指数评估治疗效果。结果:两组术前人口学特征、发病时间、DVT并发率、肺动脉压、肺动脉栓塞严重指数等无明显差异(P均0.05)。介入治疗组在降低肺动脉压及肺动脉严重指数、症状的改善率、缩短住院时间上明显优于单纯抗凝组(P分别为0.000、0.001、0.01、0.003);而相关出血并发症发生率无统计学差异(P0.05)。通过分别对比介入治疗两种方案的术前及术后动脉血氧分压、指脉氧、心率及肺动脉压、弥勒指数,两种治疗方案在这五个指标均有明显改善(P值均0.05)。随访6月至7年,肺栓复发率在单纯抗凝组、导管介入+抗凝治疗组分别为10.5%、6.8%,统计学差异显著(P=0.004);慢性血栓性肺动脉高压发生率分别为5.3%、1.4%,统计学差异显著(P=0.000)。结论:导管引导介入治疗对急性中高危肺动脉栓塞治疗是安全有效的,且可明显降低复发及慢性肺动脉高压的发生率。     

桔梗皂苷对烟雾致矽肺患者血清IL-8 和TNF-alpha水平的影响

目的：探究桔梗皂苷对烟雾致矽肺患者血清白介素-8(IL-8)和肿瘤坏死因子-alpha(TNF-alpha)水平的影响。方法：选取我院呼吸科 2012 年6 月到2013 年6 月收治的68 例男性矽肺患者,并将其随机分为2 组。对照组34 例,给于矽肺宁片4 片/ 次,3 次/d,口 服;氨茶碱片0.1 g/ 次,3 次/d,口服;必漱平片16 mg/ 次,3 次/d,口服;舒喘灵片4.8 mg/ 次,3 次/d,口服;疗程24 周。实验组34 例,在常规治疗的基础上应用加用桔梗皂苷胶囊10 g/ 次,3 次/d,口服;疗程24 周。治疗结束后,检测和比较治疗前后两组患者 SaO2、PaO2、PaCO2、血清IL-8 和TNF-alpha的变化情况。结果：治疗后,两组患者的SaO2、PaO2、PaCO2水平均得到改善,实验组以上指 标较改善更为显著,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后,两组患者的IL-8 和TNF-alpha水平均较治疗前显著下降,且实验组IL-8 和TNF-alpha水平显著低于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：桔梗皂苷辅助治疗能够显著改善烟雾致矽肺患者的呼吸功 能,降低血清IL-8 和TNF-alpha含量。     

苹果多酚对野百合碱诱导的肺动脉高压大鼠肺血管重构的作用和机制

目的:探讨苹果多酚抑制肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉血管重构的作用及其机制。方法:雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组(Con),野百合碱(MCT)组,苹果多酚(APP)组,野百合碱+苹果多酚(MCT+APP)组,每组9只。Con组:每天皮下注射1ml生理盐水;APP组:隔天按20mg/kg的剂量腹腔注射苹果多酚;MCT组:按60mg/kg剂量一次性皮下注射MCT;MCT+APP组:一次性皮下注射60mg/kg剂量MCT,隔天按20mg/kg剂量腹腔注射APP,所有处理持续3周。建模完成后,检测各组大鼠平均肺动脉压(mPAP),肺血管阻力(PVR),右心室肥厚指数(RVHI),肺动脉血管环外周长比值(WT%),肺小血管管壁面积和管总面积比值(WA%)。检测肺组织中的白细胞介素1(IL-1),白细胞介素6(IL-6),肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α),环氧化酶2(COX-2),髓过氧化物酶(MPO)等炎症通路相关指标,及肺动脉平滑肌细胞内Ca2+和内皮细胞eNOS,NO含量。结果:MCT组大鼠与对照组比较,在动物水平的指标mPAP、PVR、RVHI、WA%、WT%和肺动脉组织内IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2,MPO表达量以及肺动脉平滑肌细胞内的Ca2+浓度明显升高(P<0.05),而内皮细胞中的eNOS,NO含量明显下降(P<0.05);苹果多酚治疗组与MCT组大鼠相比上述情况得到改善,其中COX-2和Ca2+指标明显下降,且具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:苹果多酚可通过抑制MCT引起的肺组织内IL-1,IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2升高和肺动脉平滑肌细胞内Ca2+升高以及内皮细胞中eNOS,NO降低,抑制平滑肌细胞增殖,逆转肺血管重构,缓解肺动脉高压。     

Effects of digoxin on chemoreflex in patients with chronic heart failure.

The effects of digitalis on the baroreflexes in human chronic heart failure have been well studied. Similarly, since it has been recently shown that chemoregulation remains generally effective during cardiac failure, the goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of a chronic administration of digoxin on the chemoreflexes. Hemodynamic and blood gas parameters were assessed in 7 patients with chronic congestive heart failure before and after chronic administration for 10 days of digoxin therapy (0.25 mg daily). In both situations measurements were performed 1/ in baseline conditions at room air and, 2/ after inhalation of pure O2 for 30 min, in order to inhibit the activation of the chemoreflexes. At room air, acute O2 inhalation resulted in a significant decrease in heart rate and cardiac output. After digoxin therapy, comparatively to pre-treatment values, cardiac output, stroke volume and PaO2 were significantly higher while heart rate, systemic resistance and pulmonary wedge pressure were lower. Furthermore, acute O2 inhalation did not modify heart rate or any hemodynamic variables. These results suggest that after digoxin therapy chemoreflex was no more activated in these patients. This effect may be related to the sympatho-inhibitory and to the positive inotropic effects of digoxin: improving hemodynamic and blood gas parameters may result in the inactivation of the reflex.     

Mechanism of transient nocturnal hypoxemia in hypoxic chronic bronchitis and emphysema

In five patients with hypoxic chronic bronchitis and emphysema we measured ear O2 saturation (SaO2), chest movement, oronasal airflow, arterial and mixed venous gas tensions, and cardiac output during nine hypoxemic episodes (HE; SaO2 falls greater than 10%) in rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep and during preceding periods of stable oxygenation in non-REM sleep. All nine HE occurred with recurrent short episodes of reduced chest movement, none with sleep apnea. The arterial PO2 (PaO2) fell by 6.0 +/- 1.9 (SD) Torr during the HE (P less than 0.01), but mean arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) rose by only 1.4 +/- 2.4 Torr (P greater than 0.4). The arteriovenous O2 content difference fell by 0.64 +/- 0.43 ml/100 ml of blood during the HE (P less than 0.05), but there was no significant change in cardiac output. Changes observed in PaO2 and PaCO2 during HE were similar to those in four normal subjects during 90 s of voluntary hypoventilation, when PaO2 fell by 12.3 +/- 5.6 Torr (P less than 0.05), but mean PaCO2 rose by only 2.8 +/- 2.1 Torr (P greater than 0.4). We suggest that the transient hypoxemia which occurs during REM sleep in patients with chronic bronchitis and emphysema could be explained by hypoventilation during REM sleep but that the importance of changes in distribution of ventilation-perfusion ratios cannot be assessed by presently available techniques.     

脂肪干细胞移植对野百合碱诱发的肺动脉高压大鼠肺动脉压的量效和时效作用

目的探索脂肪干细胞（ADSC）移植治疗野百合碱（MCT）诱导的肺动脉高压（PAH）大鼠的适宜细胞数和干预时间。 方法（1）MCT的建模时效和量效：雄性SD大鼠48只分为正常对照组,20 mg/kg、30 mg/kg、40 mg/kg MCT组分别予腹腔注射生理盐水、MCT 20 mg/kg、30 mg/kg、40 mg/kg,4和8周后,右心室插管法检测平均肺动脉压（mPAP）,称重法计算右心室肥厚指数（RVHI）。（2）ADSC的治疗量效作用：雄性SD大鼠分别予腹腔注射MCT（30只）和生理盐水（30只）,1周后通过颈静脉注射分别移植0.5×10⁶、1.0×10⁶、3.0×10⁶、5.0×10⁶ADSC,其他组予等量生理盐水。移植3周后检测mPAP和RVHI。（3）ADSC的治疗时效作用：雄性SD大鼠30只,分别注射40 mg/kg MCT（24只）和生理盐水（6只）。MCT腹腔注射1 d,1、2周后分别移植1.0×10⁶个ADSC。MCT注射4周后检测mPAP和RVHI。多组间比较采用单因素或双因素方差分析,两两比较采用LSD检验。 结果（1）腹腔注射4周后,30 mg/ kg或40 mg/kg MCT组mPAP和RVHI均升高[mPAP值（24.89±3.31）mmHg,（27.19±2.11）mmHg比（15.80±0.42）mmHg,差异有统计学意义（P均< 0.05）;RVHI值0.42±0.06,0.47±0.04比0.25±0.02,差异有统计学意义（P均< 0.05）]。8周后,20 mg/kg或30 mg/ kg MCT组mPAP和RVHI均恢复正常,而40 mg/kg MCT组大鼠全部死亡。（2）40 mg/ kg MCT诱导的PAH大鼠mPAP和RVHI均升高。移植1.0×10⁶个ADSC可降低PAH大鼠的mPAP[（17.24±0.66）mmHg比（27.19±1.73）mmHg,P < 0.05]。移植0.5×10⁶、3.0×10⁶、5.0× 10⁶个ADSC不能降低PAH大鼠的mPAP和RVHI。（3）MCT腹腔注射1周和2周后,移植1.0×10⁶个ADSC可降低PAH大鼠的mPAP。 结论40 mg/kg MCT造模4周可建立稳定的PAH大鼠模型;造模1或2周后移植1.0×10⁶个ADSC能有效降低PAH大鼠的mPAP。     

苹果多酚通过下调钙敏感受体改善大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压的作用

目的：探究苹果多酚通过下调钙敏感受体（CaSR）表达改善大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压的作用。方法：36只雄性SD大鼠随机分为对照组、低氧诱导组和苹果多酚干预组（n=12）。低氧诱导组和苹果多酚干预组大鼠每天在低氧舱（氧浓度为10%）中间断低氧暴露8 h,对照组在正常环境下饲养,为期四周。建模同时,苹果多酚干预组每日用苹果多酚按200 mg/kg的剂量灌胃,对照组、低氧诱导组用等量生理盐水灌胃,每日1次,共持续四周。建模完成后,检测各组大鼠的肺动脉平均压（mPAP）、肺血管阻力（PVR）、右心室肥厚指数（RVHI）、肺动脉中膜厚度（MT）、WA%、WT%及肺动脉组织中CaSR表达量。结果：低氧暴露组大鼠mPAP、PVR、RVHI、MT、WA%、WT%及肺动脉组织中CaSR表达量均较对照组明显升高（P<0.01）;苹果多酚干预组可改善上述效应。结论：苹果多酚能有效预防大鼠低氧性肺动脉高压,其机制与下调CaSR的表达有关。     

Volume loading reduces pulmonary vascular resistance in ventilated animals with acute lung injury: evaluation of RV afterload

During mechanical ventilation, increased pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) may decrease right ventricular (RV) performance. We hypothesized that volume loading, by reducing PVR, and, therefore, RV afterload, can limit this effect. Deep anesthesia was induced in 16 mongrel dogs (8 oleic acid-induced acute lung injury and 8 controls). We measured ventricular pressures, dimensions, and stroke volumes during positive end-expiratory pressures of 0, 6, 12, and 18 cmH(2)O at three left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressures (5, 12, and 18 mmHg). Oleic acid infusion (0.07 ml/kg) increased PVR and reduced respiratory system compliance (P < 0.05). With positive end-expiratory pressure, PVR was greater at a lower LV end-diastolic pressure. Increased PVR was associated with a decreased transseptal pressure gradient, suggesting that leftward septal shift contributed to decreased LV preload, in addition to that caused by external constraint. Volume loading reduced PVR; this was associated with improved RV output and an increased transseptal pressure gradient, which suggests that rightward septal shift contributed to the increased LV preload. If PVR is used to reflect RV afterload, volume loading appeared to reduce PVR, thereby improving RV and LV performance. The improvement in cardiac output was also associated with reduced external constraint to LV filling; since calculated PVR is inversely related to cardiac output, increased LV output would reduce PVR. In conclusion, our results, which suggest that PVR is an independent determinant of cardiac performance, but is also dependent on cardiac output, improve our understanding of the hemodynamic effects of volume loading in acute lung injury.     

Use of the Frank-Starling mechanism during exercise is linked to exercise-induced changes in arterial load

Effective arterial elastance(E(A)) is a measure of the net arterial load imposed on the heart that integrates the effects of heart rate(HR), peripheral vascular resistance(PVR), and total arterial compliance(TAC) and is a modulator of cardiac performance. To what extent the change in E(A) during exercise impacts on cardiac performance and aerobic capacity is unknown. We examined E(A) and its relationship with cardiovascular performance in 352 healthy subjects. Subjects underwent rest and exercise gated scans to measure cardiac volumes and to derive E(A)[end-systolic pressure/stroke volume index(SV)], PVR[MAP/(SV*HR)], and TAC(SV/pulse pressure). E(A) varied with exercise intensity: the ΔE(A) between rest and peak exercise along with its determinants, differed among individuals and ranged from -44% to +149%, and was independent of age and sex. Individuals were separated into 3 groups based on their ΔE(A)I. Individuals with the largest increase in ΔE(A)(group 3;ΔE(A)≥0.98 mmHg.m(2)/ml) had the smallest reduction in PVR, the greatest reduction in TAC and a similar increase in HR vs. group 1(ΔE(A)<0.22 mmHg.m(2)/ml). Furthermore, group 3 had a reduction in end-diastolic volume, and a blunted increase in SV(80%), and cardiac output(27%), during exercise vs. group 1. Despite limitations in the Frank-Starling mechanism and cardiac function, peak aerobic capacity did not differ by group because arterial-venous oxygen difference was greater in group 3 vs. 1. Thus the change in arterial load during exercise has important effects on the Frank-Starling mechanism and cardiac performance but not on exercise capacity. These findings provide interesting insights into the dynamic cardiovascular alterations during exercise.     

Pulmonary vascular effects of sildenafil on the development of chronic pulmonary hypertension in the ovine fetus

We investigated the pulmonary vascular effects of prophylactic use of sildenafil, a specific phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, in late-gestation fetal lambs with chronic pulmonary hypertension. Fetal lambs were operated on at 129 +/- 1 days gestation (term = 147 days). Ductus arteriosus (DA) was compressed for 8 days to cause chronic pulmonary hypertension. Fetuses were treated with sildenafil (24 mg/day) or saline. Pulmonary vascular responses to increase in shear stress and in fetal PaO2 were studied at, respectively, day 4 and 6. Percent wall thickness of small pulmonary arteries (%WT) and the right ventricle-to-left ventricle plus septum ratio (RVH) were measured after completion of the study. In the control group, DA compression increased PA pressure (48 +/- 5 to 72 +/- 8 mmHg, P < 0.01) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (0.62 +/- 0.08 to 1.15 +/- 0.11 mmHg x ml(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.05). Similar increase in PAP was observed in the sildenafil group, but PVR did not change significantly (0.54 +/- 0.06 to 0.64 +/- 0.09 mmHg x ml(-1) x min(-1)). Acute DA compression, after brief decompression, elevated PVR 25% in controls and decreased PVR 35% in the sildenafil group. Increased fetal PaO2 did not change PVR in controls but decreased PVR 60% in the sildenafil group. %WT and RVH were not different between groups. Prophylactic sildenafil treatment prevents the rise in pulmonary vascular tone and altered vasoreactivity caused by DA compression in fetal lambs. These results support the hypothesis that elevated PDE5 activity is involved in the consequences of chronic pulmonary hypertension in the perinatal lung.