The Measurement of Pulmonary Extravascular Water Volume during Exposure to Simulated High Altitude

摘要

To investigate basic mechanisms operative in high altitude pulmonary edema, pulmonary extravascular water volume (Qpevw) was measured in 11 unanesthetized calves exposed to atmospheres equivalent to 12,000 and 16,000 feet. Measurements were made by a double indicator dilution technique at sea level and after continuous exposure of 24, 48, and 72 hours. Thirty-five duplicate measurements from 15 experiments yielded a test-retest reliability coefficient of 0.84. Data from 15 experiments were technically satisfactory after exposure of 24 hours; 13 experiments after 48 hours exposure; and 7 experiments after 72 hours exposure. After 24 hours exposure the mean increase in Qpevw was 42.7 ml (p