[Changes in serum endothelin and in pregnant rabbits with pulmonary embolism].

OBJECTIVE: To study change of serum endothelin (ET) and in serum endothelin and in pregnant rabbit with acute pulmonary embolism. METHODS: In 17 pregnant rabbits, autologous blood clots were administered into the right atrium via the femoral vein to establish the animal models of acute pulmonary embolism, and another 10 pregnant rabbits received injection with saline to serve as the control group. Serum levels of ET and CGRP were measured before, 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h after the injection. RESULTS: Acute pulmonary embolism was induced in all the rabbits receiving the injection of autologous blood clots with a success rate of 100%. In these rabbit models of pulmonary embolism, serum ET increased 0 h after the embolism and kept rising till 6 h, whereas CGRP level underwent immediate decrease after the embolism followed then by increase during the period from 4 to 8 h, showing significant difference from the levels of the control group. CONCLUSION: Significant difference in serum ET and CGRP levels occur in the event of acute pulmonary embolism in pregnant rabbits.