Certain parameters of pulmonary circulation dynamics and gas exchange in the lungs and morphotic changes in lung tissue in dogs during cardiac arrest and immediately after resuscitation.

The experiments were carried out in 33 dogs 60 min. to 12 hours after cardiac arrest was induced for 3-5 min by ventricular fibrillation. In 11 dogs closed chest cardiac massage was performed 30 min. and in 222 dogs defibrillation was used to restore heart function. The pulmonary and peripheral circulation was assessed on the basis of changes in arterial and venous blood pressure, cardiac output, vascular resistance, pulmonary shunting and capnographic determinations. The values of VA, VA/Vmin, V/Q, VDph, VD/VT, DuO2 and DuCO2, Pa-E'CO2, PaO2 were determined. Measurements of acid base balance, lactate and pyruvate levels and certain elements of blood clotting and fibrinolysis systems were performed. Moreover, lung biopsy was examined by light and electron microscopes. Functional determinations confirmed the presence of disturbances of lung perfusion and alveolar ventilation as well as disturbances in oxygen exchange at cellular level. The author suggests the term Resuscitation Lung Syndrome for these disturbances.