We studied the effect of tow molecular weight dextran (mean molecular weigh
t 40,000, Dextran 40; LMD) on the accumulation of extravascular lung water
(EVLW), and also on hemodynamics and blood gases, in the oleic acid (OA)-in
jured lung in pentobarbital anesthetized rats. Starting just before the OA
injection (0.01 mL/kg via femoral vein), 10% LMD in lactated Ringer's solut
ion was infused throughout the experiment (5 mL/kg/h) instead of lactated R
inger's solution. OA caused acute lung injury leading to decreased oxygenat
ion (PaO2: 87 +/- 11 mmHg versus central group 128 +/- 11) and an increased
permeability of the alveolar-capillary membrane, as shown by increases in
EVLW (4.89 +/- 0.54 versus control group 4.07 +/- 0.14), and albumin leakag
e (0.043 +/- 0.015 versus control group 0.010 +/- 0.004). LMD protected aga
inst the increase in EVLW (4.14 +/- 0.10) and the hypoxemia (112 +/- 19 mmH
g), but it did not reduce the albumin leakage into the alveolar space (0.05
2 +/- 0.009). These data suggest that LMD may limit the fluid accumulation
that is secondary to OA-induced lung injury. (Am J Emerg Med 2000;18:180-18
3, Copyright (C) 2000 by W.B. Saunders Company).