THE EFFECTS OF HALOTHANE, TRICHLOROETHYLENE AND ETHER ON THE HYPOXIC PRESSOR RESPONSE AND PULMONARY VASCULAR RESISTANCE IN THE ISOLATED, PERFUSED CAT LUNG

Abstract

The pulmonary arterial pressor response to the inhalation of 3 per cent oxygen was tested in isolated cat lungs perfused in situ at constant flow. The pressor response could be elicited for periods up to 5 hours. The magnitude of the response was diminished during the inhalation of concentrations of halothane, trichloroethylene and ether which are used in clinical practice. Halothane produced a significant fall in pulmonary vascular resistance whereas trichloroethylene and ether produced no significant changes.