Alveolar epithelial fluid transport and the resolution of clinically severe hydrostatic pulmonary edema

• Published in: Journal of applied physiology (1985) 1999-10, Vol.87 (4), p.1301-1312
• Main Authors: Verghese, G. M, Ware, L. B, Matthay, B. A, Matthay, M. A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Anatomy & physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Biological Transport; Body Fluids - metabolism; Circulatory system; Epinephrine - blood; Epithelium - metabolism; Female; Heart - physiopathology; Heart failure; Hemodynamics; Humans; Hypertension; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Oxygen - blood; Pneumology; Pulmonary Alveoli - metabolism; Pulmonary Edema - blood; Pulmonary Edema - metabolism; Pulmonary Edema - mortality; Pulmonary Edema - physiopathology; Pulmonary hypertension. Acute cor pulmonale. Pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary vascular diseases; Respiration, Artificial
• ISSN: 8750-7587; 1522-1601
• DOI: 10.1152/jappl.1999.87.4.1301

Departments of Medicine and Anesthesia and the Cardiovascular Research Institute, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143-0130 To characterize the rate and regulation of alveolar fluid clearance in the uninjured human lung, pulmonary edema fluid and plasma were sampled within the first 4 h after tracheal intubation in 65 mechanically ventilated patients with severe hydrostatic pulmonary edema. Alveolar fluid clearance was calculated from the change in pulmonary edema fluid protein concentration over time. Overall, 75% of patients had intact alveolar fluid clearance ( 3%/h). Maximal alveolar fluid clearance ( 14%/h) was present in 38% of patients, with a mean rate of 25 ± 12%/h. Hemodynamic factors (including pulmonary arterial wedge pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction) and plasma epinephrine levels did not correlate with impaired or intact alveolar fluid clearance. Impaired alveolar fluid clearance was associated with a lower arterial pH and a higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II. These factors may be markers of systemic hypoperfusion, which has been reported to impair alveolar fluid clearance by oxidant-mediated mechanisms. Finally, intact alveolar fluid clearance was associated with a greater improvement in oxygenation at 24 h along with a trend toward shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and an 18% lower hospital mortality. In summary, alveolar fluid clearance in humans may be rapid in the absence of alveolar epithelial injury. Catecholamine-independent factors are important in the regulation of alveolar fluid clearance in patients with severe hydrostatic pulmonary edema. -agonist; congestive heart failure; alveolar fluid clearance; mechanical ventilation; left atrial hypertension