Uptake and Storage of Lung Histamine in Burn Shock ∗

Abstract

Summary

In anesthetized dogs in burn shock for 4 hr, the rate of rise in arteriovenous difference of histamine across the lungs was measured from blood entering and leaving the lungs via the right and left ventricles of the heart, respectively. A maximal uptake of blood histamine by the lungs was attained within 15 min following burn injury. In subsequent periods following the burn injury, the pulmonary arteriovenous difference declined while arterial and venous histamine levels remained elevated until the experiment was terminated. Of the hemodynamic alterations recorded, the most significant change was the immediate decrease in cardiac output following burn trauma. The uptake and storage of histamine by the lungs may be related to pulmonary complications observed in patients in burn shock.