THE EFFECTS OF EXCLUSION OF THE RIGHT VENTRICLE FROM THE CIRCULATION IN DOGS 1

Abstract

Veno-pulmonary artery shunts were used to bypass the right ventricle in dogs. Acute occlusion of the normal pathway of blood through the right ventricle resulted in marked falls in systemic arterial pressure and elevations of venous pressure. However, even when the venous pressure was elevated with infusions to levels above the normal mean pulmonary arterial pressure, lung perfusion through the shunts remained inadequate. Thus, there was no evidence that the total circulation could be maintained in the absence of right ventricular function. In previous studies cited, in which attempts were made to destroy the right ventricular myocardium, right ventricular function was not destroyed.