Histamine receptor and prostaglandin synthetase blockers in ethchlorvynol-induced pulmonary edema in canines.

The injection of ethchlorvynol intravenously in humans and animals causes an increased permeability form of pulmonary edema. The proximate cause for this increased alveolar capillary membrane permeability is unknown but humoral mediators such as histamine and prostaglandins could play a role. To determine whether these agents were a factor in the altered permeability, we employed the saline-filled dog lung model and measured the flux of albumin across the alveolar capillary membrane. Following the intravenous injection of ethchlorvynol, there was a marked increase in permeability which was not altered by treatment with H1 and H2 receptor blockers or a prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor. We conclude that histamine and prostaglandins play no role in the increased permeability associated with ethchlorvynol injection.