An Experimental Study of the Effect of Chronic Atelectasis on Pulmonary and Bronchial Blood Flow

Abstract

Four dogs and one patient with uncomplicated atelectasis of an entire lung were studied. Arterial oxygen saturations were nearly normal, indicating diminished flow to the atelectatic lung. Angiography confirmed this finding. Vinyl plastic injections showed no evidence of increased bronchial collateral circulation and pathological examination of the atelectatic lung did not demonstrate any bronchiectasis.