Effect of edema on pulmonary blood flow in the isolated perfused dog lung lobe

C, STAUB. Effect of edema on pulmonary had flow in the isolated perfused dog lung Lobe. J. Appl. Physiol.; Respirat. Environ, Exercise Physiol. 48(3): 444-449, 19&X-We deter-mined the relationship between the amount of edema and changes in blood flow in the isolated, perfused, and ventilated lower lobe of dog lung. We held vascular pressure constant and measured lobe weight and flow continuously. Vascular pres-sures were set to produce minimal weight gain in four lobes (controls) and large weight gain in six lobes (edema). In all lobes, the outflow pressure exceeded alveolar pressure at end expiration (zone III conditions). The control lobes gained an average of 20 % in weight over 4 h, but blood flow remained constant. They showed interstitial edema histologically and extravascular lung water was increased 38%. The edema lobes gained weight rapidly, ultimately tripling their weight. In thes