|
|
||||||||
Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 51, Issue 4 1002-1008, Copyright © 1981 by American Physiological Society
ARTICLES |
H. K. Chang, M. E. Weber, J. Thomson and R. R. Martin
To elucidate the hydrodynamic events during pulmonary air embolism, experiments were conducted in a branching-tube apparatus and in small vessels. It was found that, as long as there existed an elevation differential between the two branches of a bifurcation, the vast majority of air bubbles always entered the higher branch. This finding is explained in terms of buoyancy, shear forces, and liquid flow velocity and is consistent with the in vivo finding of increased blood perfusion in the dependent lung regions during air embolization (J. Appl. Physiol.: Respirat. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 51: 211-217, 1981). The pressures required to drive air bubbles through various small vessels were determined using three aqueous solutions of different surface tensions. Based on these measurements and a theoretical analysis, the diameter of air bubbles that could not pass through the pulmonary vessels was calculated to be 20-30 micrometers, agreeing well with a recent in vivo measurement (J. Appl. Physiol.: Respirat. Environ. Exercise Physiol. 47: 537-543, 1979).
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
J. E. Souders, J. B. Doshier, N. L. Polissar, and M. P. Hlastala Spatial distribution of venous gas emboli in the lungs J Appl Physiol, November 1, 1999; 87(5): 1937 - 1947. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. H. van Blankenstein, C. J Slager, L. K. Soei, H Boersma, T. Stijnen, J.C.H Schuurbiers, R. Krams, B Lachmann, and P. D Verdouw Cardiac depression after experimental air embolism in pigs: role of addition of a surface-active agent Cardiovasc Res, June 1, 1997; 34(3): 473 - 482. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Visit Other APS Journals Online |