Circulatory depression with high peep in the surfactant-deficient rabbit.

Surfactant depletion was induced by lung lavage in 10 rabbits. Ascending aortic blood flow was measured at normocapnia at 0, 5 and 10 cm H2O PEEP before and after lavage. Aortic blood flow was reduced by PEEP, by a maximum of 24% before lavage and 60% after lavage. It was concluded that, although adequate arterial oxygenation can be maintained with 10 cm H2O PEEP in surfactant-depleted rabbit's lungs, the circulatory impairment may result in inadequate oxygen delivery.