Does Methylprednisolone Confer Additional Benefits When a Protective Ventilation Strategy is Employed During One-lung Ventilation?
Description of the project: One-lung ventilation (OLV) is a procedure in which one lung is intentionally collapsed to allow the surgeon access to structures inside the chest cavity, but it can result in significant intraoperative and postoperative cardiorespiratory complications. We have established an animal model of OLV to evaluate prophylactic interventions, including a protective ventilation strategy (PVS) or low dose methylprednisolone (MP). We hypothesize that a combination of low dose methylprednisolone and PVS used during OLV will lead to greater reduction of injury from OLV when compared to using PVS alone. Specific Aim #1: A combination of MP and PVS results in improved physiological parameters during OLV than PVS alone. Outcomes measured: biochemical markers of oxygenation and ventilation, and lung mechanics. Specific Aim #2: A combination of MP and PVS results in a greater reduction in pro-inflammatory markers in the plasma than PVS alone. Outcomes measured: TNF-a, IL-6, IL
