Heat dissipation by blood circulation and airway tissue heat absorption in a canine model of inhalational thermal injury

• All dogs showed deep, rapid breathing with accelerated heartbeat.
• Intra-group blood flow volumes in the both common jugular veins were increased.
• Inter-group blood flow volumes in the both common jugular veins were increased.
• The gross and proportional heat dissipation by blood circulation were increased.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to further explore heat dissipation by blood circulation and airway tissue heat absorption in an inhalational thermal injury model.MethodsTwelve adult male Beagle dogs were divided into four groups to inhale heated air for 10 min: the control group, group I (100.5 °C), group II (161.5 °C), and group III (218 °C). The relative humidity and temperature of the inhaled heated air were measured in the heating tube and trachea, as were blood temperatures and flow velocities in both common jugular veins. Formulas were used to calculate the total heat quantity reduction of the heated air, heat dissipation by the blood, and airway tissue heat absorption.ResultsThe blood temperatures of both the common jugular veins increased by 0.29 °C ± 0.07 °C to 2.96 °C ± 0.24 °C and the mean blood flow volume after injury induction was about 1.30–1.74 times greater than before injury induction. The proportions of heat dissipated by the blood and airway tissue heat absorption were 68.92% ± 14.88% and 31.13% ± 14.87%, respectively.ConclusionsThe heat dissipating ability of the blood circulation was demonstrated and improved upon along with tissue heat absorption owing to increased regional blood flow.