PULMONARY CIRCULATION OF HARBOR SEAL

Cardiac output (Q) and pulmonary arterial pressure (Ppa) were measured under various conditions in four harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) weighing 35-52 kg. In seals anesthetized with halothane, Q averaged 3.47 l/min; in awake resting seals, Q averaged 11.5 l/min; and during surface dives (i.e., at atmospheric pressure) Q averaged 1.99 l/min. Stroke volume was one-third and two-thirds of the awake resting value during anesthesia and diving, respectively. Systolic Ppa was usually 40-50 Torr in anesthetized and awake resting seals, but was about 10 Torr lower during both surface and compression (i.e., elevated ambient pressure) dives. Diastolic Ppa was constant and high during anesthesia and quite variable in awake resting seals. During both surface and compression dives the diastolic Ppa often fell to the same level as right atrial pressure. The authors conclude that Q and Ppa are high in awake resting seals and that pulmonary blood flow may cease between beats during diving.