Effect of positive-end-expiratory-pressure on right ventricular output in lambs with hyaline membrane disease.

Right and left ventricular outputs, pulmonary and systemic blood flows, and blood flows in both directions through the ductus arteriosus were measured before and during positive-end-expiratory-pressure in 5 premature lambs with induced hyaline membrane disease. During positive-end-expiratory-pressure, right ventricular output increased in all lambs without any significant change in left ventricular output or pulmonary vascular resistance. Left-to-right ductus flow decreased in lambs which initially had large left-to-right ductus shunts. significant right-to-left ductus flow did not occur before or during positive-end-expiratory-pressure.