Effects of vaporized perfluorohexane and partial liquid ventilation on regional distribution of alveolar damage in experimental lung injury.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the patterns of distribution of histological effects of vaporized perfluorohexane (PFH) and partial liquid ventilation (PLV) differ significantly in acute lung injury.


METHODS
Experimental study in an animal research laboratory.


METHODS
Eighteen pigs.


METHODS
After induction of acute lung injury by means of infusion of oleic acid animals were randomly assigned to PFH, PLV, or gas ventilation (GV) groups. Six hours thereafter animals were killed, and lung tissue samples were taken for analysis.


RESULTS
Histopathological analysis revealed less damage with PFH than with GV or PLV in the nondependent and central regions. PFH and PLV showed less injury in the dependent regions than GV. GV and PFH were associated with less histological damage in the nondependent than the dependent regions, whereas PLV presented the opposite pattern. Morphometric analysis showed increased aeration in nondependent than dependent regions with PFH and GV. PLV led to more aeration in the periphery than in central areas.


CONCLUSIONS
PFH was associated with a more homogeneous attenuation of alveolar damage across the lungs, although this therapy had more pronounced effects in nondependent zones. PLV showed the opposite pattern, with more important reduction in alveolar damage in dependent lung regions. Interestingly, reduction in alveolar damage with PFH was as effective as with PLV in dependent zones. Our findings suggest that vaporized perfluorocarbon could be advantageous as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of acute lung injury.
Spieth
Peter M
PM
Clinic for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Therapy, Carl Gustav Carus Medical College, Technical University of Dresden and University Hospital, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. p.spieth@web.de
Knels
Lilla
L
Kasper
Michael
M
Domingues Quelhas
André
A
Wiedemann
Bärbel
B
Lupp
Amelie
A
Hübler
Matthias
M
Neto
Antonio Giannella
AG
Gianella Neto
Antonio
A
Koch
Thea
T
Gama de Abreu
Marcelo
M
D000818:Animals; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D021061:Liquid Ventilation / Q000379:methods*; D011175:Positive-Pressure Respiration; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology*; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D013552:Swine; D014835:Volatilization
D005466:Fluorocarbons; C078626:perflexane