A canine model for production of severe unilateral panacinar emphysema.

The authors created a canine model of severe emphysema using whole lung lavage to deliver repeated porcine pancreatic elastase solution to the terminal airways and alveoli of the right lung. This model produces extreme unilateral panacinar emphysema closely resembling that encountered in patients with alpha1-antitrypsin deficiency. Because the contralateral lung remains functional, the animals can be maintained indefinitely.

Bronchial fenestration improves expiratory flow in emphysematous human lungs.

Background: The crippling effects of emphysema are due in part to dynamic hyperinflation, resulting in altered respiratory mechanics, an increased work of breathing, and a pervasive sense of dyspnea. Because of the extensive collateral ventilation present in emphysematous lungs, we hypothesize that placement of stents between pulmonary parenchyma and large airways could effectively improve expiratory flow, thus reducing dynamic hyperinflation.

Methods: Twelve human emphysematous lungs, removed at the time of lung transplantation, were placed in an airtight ventilation chamber with the bronchus attached to a tube traversing the chamber wall, and attached to a pneumotachometer.

Pretreatment with buflomedil enhances ventricular function by reducing the dysfunctional area after transient coronary artery occlusion.

Objective: The aim was to evaluate whether buflomedil (a drug used to treat peripheral vascular disease and which has a number of pharmacological actions potentially beneficial to dysfunctional myocardium) would preserve myocardial function after transient coronary artery occlusion followed by reperfusion.

Methods: The physiological response to a 15 min balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 1 h of reperfusion was monitored in 17 placebo treated dogs and compared with that of 15 dogs which received 10 mg.kg-1 of buflomedil.