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


METHODS
Prospective randomized controlled study.


METHODS
Experimental research laboratory at a university medical center.


METHODS
Nineteen sheep weighing 31.4 +/- 4.1 kg.


METHODS
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.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Bleyl
Jörg U
JU
Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Technical University, Dresden, Germany. bleyl@rcs.urz.tu-dresden.de
Ragaller
Maximilian
M
Tschö
Uwe
U
Regner
Mike
M
Hübler
Matthias
M
Kanzow
Maria
M
Vincent
Oliver
O
Albrecht
Michael
M
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects*; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D019301:Oleic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D011659:Pulmonary Gas Exchange / Q000187:drug effects*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012756:Sheep
D005466:Fluorocarbons; D019301:Oleic Acid