We report the first determination of lung endothelial barrier properties in ischemic, nonreperfused microvessels. We quantified the endothelial barrier in terms of hydraulic conductivity (Lp) in single pulmonary venules (diameter 20–50 microns) of isolated blood perfused lungs (dog, rat), held at constant inflation pressure (5 cmH2O) with a gas mixture containing 21% oxygen. Lp were determined by our split-drop technique in which an oil drop is first microinjected into a venule and then split by microinjection of a protein solution. Lp was interpreted from measurements of the rate of oil drop movement. Baseline Lp recorded in the first 30 min of perfusion averaged 3.4 +/- 0.9 x 10(-7) ml/(cm2.s.cmH2O). Then, in two separate groups of venules in which we established 1.3 +/- 0.1 h and 3.4 +/- 0.8 h of ischemia, we determined Lp which were, respectively, 145 +/- 6.5 and 308 +/- 13% above baseline (P < 0.05). We conclude that ischemia alone, in the absence of reperfusion, significantly deteriorates the lung endothelial barrier.