Effects of environmental tobacco smoke on the pulmonary circulation in the ovine fetus

ObjectiveEpidemiologic studies have highlighted an association between maternal smoking and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn infant. However, the impact of exposure to tobacco smoke on the perinatal pulmonary circulation is currently unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the pulmonary vascular effects of environmental tobacco smoke in the fetus.Study DesignWe performed surgery on 16 fetal lambs and placed catheters in the main pulmonary artery, aorta, and left atrium to measure pressures. An ultrasonic blood flow transducer was placed around the left pulmonary artery to measure blood flow. The ewes were exposed to tobacco smoke for 2 hours. In another set of experiments, the pulmonary vascular response to increased fetal O2 tension has been assessed after 2 hours of tobacco smoke inhalation or not (control group).ResultsExposure to tobacco smoke decreased pulmonary blood flow by 30% and elevated pulmonary vascular resistance by 40%. The vasodilator response to increased O2 tension was blunted after smoke inhalation compared with control animals. Smoke inhalation was associated with a decrease in fetal PaO2 and SaO2.ConclusionExposure to environmental tobacco smoke in pregnant ewes impairs both basal tone and vascular reactivity of the fetal lung.