Brain surface exposure to CO2 and NdYag laser application: effect on pulmonary endothelium response in the rat.

Pulmonary endothelial cells and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone (RAA) system respond to different types of injury (direct or indirect) with variations in their functions. These variations influence the regulatory mechanisms of pulmonary and systemic blood pressure, electrolyte balance and fibrinolysis. Concentration changes of some components of the RAA system and lung plasminogen activator were observed following NdYag laser application to the brain surface in rats. These changes were similar to those observed in cutaneous burn and haemorrhagic hypotension. CO2 laser application did not cause the same changes.