American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content · 1952 · 68 citations · 0 references
MedicinePhysiologySurgeryAnesthesiaCardiothoracic SurgeryPulmonologyAutonomic Nervous SystemBlood Pressure RegulationEdemaHemodynamicsPulmonary HypertensionPulmonary PhysiologyAutonomic Control Of CirculationCapillary Permeability ChangesHemodynamic AugmentationPulmonary Capillary PermeabilityPulmonary HemodynamicsPulmonary PermeabilitySympathetic ActivationSympathetic Blockade
The authors criticize the concept of “neurogenic pulmonary edema” as arising from nerve‑mediated increases in pulmonary capillary permeability. They demonstrate that experimental induction of neurogenic pulmonary edema elevates systemic and pulmonary pressures to edema‑producing levels, that vagotomy or sympathectomy does not prevent this rise, but that blocking sympathetic input to the systemic circulation lowers systemic pressure and restores normal pulmonary pressure, showing that pulmonary vascular pressures are governed by sympathetic impulses to the systemic vascular bed.
The authors criticize the concept of "neurogenic pulmonary edema" as resulting from an increase in pulmonary capillary permeability mediated by nerve impulses to those vessels. They show that one of the methods used to produce "neurogenic pulmonary edema" markedly elevates systemic and pulmonary vascular pressures, the latter to levels high enough to produce pulmonary edema. Vagotomy and/or upper thoracic sympathectomy do not prevent the elevation of pulmonary vascular pressures. Blockade of the sympathetic innervation to the systemic vascular bed lowers the systemic vascular pressures and brings the pulmonary vascular pressures back to normal. The control of pulmonary vascular pressures by sympathetic impulses to the systemic vascular bed is demonstrated.