The capillary filtration coefficient (Kf) is one of the most accurate measures of change in pulmonary vascular permeability and has been used in various models of acute lung injury. To evaluate the isolated effects of ischemia on Kf, we have developed an ex vivo rabbit lung model in which the influences of reperfusion are eliminated. The current study was designed to validate this model by determining the effect of cold flushing with low-potassium-dextran solution containing 1% glucose (LPDG), ischemic time, temperature, and inspired oxygen fraction on Kf. On completion of the ischemic period, the ventilated lungs, with the heart still attached, were suspended from a strain-gauge force transducer. After the lungs were flushed with 50 mL hetastarch solution (6% hetastarch solution with physiologic saline solution), the left atrial drainage cannula was occluded and the pulmonary artery pressure was incrementally increased by elevation of the reservoir. The Kf was calculated as the slope of the line relating the weight gain rate and pulmonary capillary pressure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)