Growth of pulmonary circulation in normal pig--structural analysis and cardiopulmonary function.

Morphometric analysis of the postnatal development of the pig lung, with emphasis on alveoli and vessels, shows features of growth similar to man, but occurring at a much faster rate in the pig, which telescopes in the first 3 mo the changes seen in human childhood and adolescence. During the first weeks, arteries (birth to 2 wk) and alveoli (1--12 wk) increase in number, whereas increase in size continues until adulthood. Wall thickness decreases soon after birth in arteries 15--200 micrometer, and by 8 wk in those 200-1,000 micrometer. At this age the adult left ventricular predominance in weight is already present. Throughout growth the venous wall thickness does not change. Cardiopulmonary function studies in pigs, from 2 to 16 wk, show that, during the period of rapid postnatal lung growth, there is no change in tidal volume, dynamic compliance, and thoracic gas volume as related to body weight; right ventricular and pulmonary arterial pressures also remain unchanged, whereas pulmonary vascular resistance decreases during the 1st mo.