Pulmonary effects of remote ischemic preconditioning in a porcine model of ventilation-induced lung injury.

BACKGROUND: One-lung ventilation (OLV) may result in lung injury due to increased mechanical stress and tidal recruitment. As a result, a pulmonary inflammatory response is induced. The present randomized, controlled, animal experiment was undertaken to assess the effects of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIP) on diffuse alveolar damage and immune response after OLV.

METHODS: Fourteen piglets (26 ± 2 kg) were randomized to control (n = 7) and RIP group (n = 7). For RIP, a blood pressure cuff at hind limb was inflated up to 200 mmHg for 5 min and deflated for another 5 min, this being done four times before OLV. Mechanical ventilation settings were constant throughout the experiment: VT  = 10 ml/kg, FI O2  = 0.40, PEEP = 5cmH2 O. OLV was performed by left-sided bronchial blockade. Number of cells was counted from BAL fluid; cytokines were assessed by immunoassays in lung tissue and serum samples. Lung tissue samples were obtained for histological analysis and assessment of diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) score.

RESULTS: Hemodynamic and respiratory data were similar in both groups. Likewise, no differences in pulmonary tissue TNF-α and protein content were found, but fewer leukocytes were counted in the ventilated lung after RIP. DAD scores were high without any differences between controls and RIP. On the other hand, alveolar edema and microhemorrhage were significantly increased after RIP.

CONCLUSIONS: OLV results in alveolar injury, possibly enhanced by RIP. On the other hand, RIP attenuates the immunological response and decreased alveolar leukocyte recruitment in a porcine model of OLV.