Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is severe medicalcondition
occurring in critically ill patients and with mortality of 33-52 % is one of the leading causes of death in critically ill patients. To better understand pathophysiology of ARDS and to verify novel therapeutical approaches a reliable animal model is needed. Therefore we have developed modified
lavage model of ARDS in the pig. After premedication (ketamine and midazolam)35 healthy pigs were anesthetized (propofol, midazolam,
morphin, pipecuronium) and orotracheally intubated and ventilated. Primary
ARDS was induced by repeated cycles of lunglavage with a detergent Triton X100 diluted in saline (0.03 %) heated to 37 °C preceded by pre
-oxygenation with 100 % O2. Single cycle included two subsequent lavages
followed by detergent suction. Eachcyclewas followed by hemodynamic
andventilation stabilization for approx. 15 min, with eventualadministration of vasopressors according to an arterial bloodpressure. The lavage procedure
was repeated until the paO2/FiO2index after stabilization remained below 100 at PEEP 5 cm H2O. In 33 pigs we have achieved the desired degree
of severe ARDS(PaO2/FiO2<100). Typical number of lavages was 2-3 (min. 1,max.5). Hemodynamictolerance and the need for vasopressors
were strongly individual. In remainingtwo animalsan unmanageable hypotension developed. For other subjects theexperimental ARDS stability was good and allowed reliablemeasurement for more than 10 h. The
present model of theARDS is clinically relevant and thus it is suitable for further research of the pathophysiology and management of this serious
medical condition.