Splanchnic hemodynamics and gut mucosal-arterial pco2 gradient during systemic hypocapnia. Guzman, Jorge A., M. D. and James A. Kruse, M. D. From the Division of Pulmonary & Critical Care Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan.
APStracts 6:0247A, 1999.
The effects of hypocapnia (Paco2 15 torr) on splanchnic hemodynamics and gut mucosal-arterial Pco2 were studied in seven anesthetized ventilated dogs. Ileal mucosal and serosal blood flow were estimated using laser Doppler flowmetry, mucosal Pco2 was measured continuously using capnometric recirculating gas tonometry, and serosal surface Po2 was assessed using a polarographic electrode. Hypocapnia was induced by removal of dead space and maintained for 45 min followed by 45 min of eucapnia. Mean (+/- SE) baseline Paco2 was 38.1 +/- 1.1 and decreased to 13.8 +/- 1.3 torr after removing dead space. Cardiac output and portal blood flow decreased significantly with hypocapnia. Similarly, mucosal and serosal blood flow decreased by 15 +/- 4% and by 34 +/- 7%, respectively. Also, an increase in the mucosal-arterial Pco2 gradient of 10.7 torr and a reduction in serosal Po2 of 30 torr were observed with hypocapnia (P < 0.01 for both). Hypocapnia caused ileal mucosal and serosal hypoperfusion, with redistribution of flow favoring the mucosa, accompanied by increased Pco2 gradient and diminished serosal Po2.

Received 15 March 1999; accepted in final form 26 May 1999.
APS Manuscript Number A201-9.
Article publication pending Journal of Applied Physiology.
ISSN 1080-4757 Copyright 1999 The American Physiological Society.
Published in APStracts on 14 June 1999