Evaluation of the bronchial mucosal blood flow by laser Doppler flowmeter

Abstract

The healing of the bronchial anastomosis after lung transplantation has been problematic due to the impaired bronchial circulation. The viability of the bronchial anastomosis depends on collateral blood flow from the pulmonary circulation to the bronchial circulation, during the first days after operation. In the present study, we evaluated bronchial mucosal blood flow with a laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF) in pigs (n=20). Left standard thoracotomy was made and bronchial mucosal blood flow was measured, when pulmonary artery, bronchial artery, or both were clamped. We found that the blood flow in the bronchial mucosa diminished by one-third when the pulmonary artery was clamped and by two-thirds when the bronchial artery was clamped. A minimal amount of perfusion was noticed when both the pulmonary artery and the bronchial artery were clamped.