Stimulus-response curves for hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction in piglets

Abstract

The pulmonary vascular response to inspiratory hypoxia in intact anaesthetised piglets is biphasic, with a maximum at an FIO2 of 12%. Neither aspirin nor doxapram affect the shape of this stimulus-response curve, and in particular do not prevent low FIO2 associated inhibition of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction.