Changes in pulmonary function and oxygenation during application of perfluorocarbon vapor in healthy and oleic acid-injured animals.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the changes in pulmonary function and gas exchange during application of 18% perfluorohexane vapor in healthy and in oleic acid-injured animals and compare it with an injured control group.

DESIGN:

Prospective randomized controlled study.

SETTING:

Experimental research laboratory at a university medical center.

SUBJECTS:

Nineteen sheep weighing 31.4 +/- 4.1 kg.

INTERVENTIONS:

Lung injury was induced in 14 sheep by the intravenous injection of 0.1 mL/kg oleic acid. After establishment of lung injury (PaO(2)/F(IO(2)) ratio, <200; pulmonary artery occlusion pressure, <19 torr), seven animals were treated with 18% perfluorohexane vapor for 30 mins whereas seven animals served as controls. After the start of perfluorohexane treatment, blood gases and respiratory and hemodynamic data were collected in 10-min intervals throughout the study period of 1 hr. In addition, five healthy animals received perfluorohexane vapor for 30 mins and were followed up for 2 hrs to exclude delayed negative effects.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Treatment of healthy animals with 18% perfluorohexane vapor was not accompanied by any significant adverse effects. It was associated with a significant decrease of alveolar-arterial oxygen difference during perfluorohexane application (p <.05). In injured animals, 18% perfluorohexane led to a sustained improvement of peak inspiratory pressures within 10 mins of treatment (p <.001). The concomitant increase in compliance was equally significant (p <.001). Significant improvements in PaO(2) occurred despite a decrease in F(IO(2)) to 0.81 at the end of vaporization.

CONCLUSION:

Healthy animals tolerated perfluorohexane vapor well without significant changes in oxygenation and mechanical lung function for 2 hrs. In injured animals, application of perfluorohexane vapor primarily improved peak inspiratory pressure and compliance. The increase of oxygenation therefore could be secondary to an improvement in compliance.

• Authors: Jörg U Bleyl, Maximilian Ragaller, Uwe Tschö, Mike Regner, Matthias Hübler, Maria Kanzow, Oliver Vincent, Michael Albrecht
• Journal: Critical care medicine (Crit Care Med) Vol. 30 Issue 6 Pg. 1340-7 (Jun 2002) ISSN: 0090-3493 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12072692 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Fluorocarbons
• Oleic Acid

Topics

• Administration, Inhalation
• Animals
• Female
• Fluorocarbons (therapeutic use)
• Hemodynamics (drug effects)
• Lung (drug effects)
• Oleic Acid (toxicity)
• Pulmonary Gas Exchange (drug effects)
• Respiratory Distress Syndrome (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Sheep