The effects of liquid ventilation on cardiopulmonary function in preterm lambs

Comparison of ventilatory support with intratracheal perfluorocarbon administration and conventional mechanical ventilation in animals with acute respiratory failure

We investigated the efficacy of intratracheal perfluorocarbon (PFC) administration combined with mechanical ventilation to support gas exchange in adult animals with acute respiratory failure. These were compared with a similar group of animals treated with continuous positive-pressure ventilation (CPPV) with respect to respiratory parameters and postmortem lung histology. After lung lavage with saline, 18 adult rabbits were divided into three groups (n = 6 per group). All groups received conventional CPPV. Additionally, one group received intratracheal PFC administration at a volume of 18 ml/kg (corresponding to functional residual capacity) (PFC group); another received 18 ml/kg of saline administration (saline group), and the last had no further treatment (CPPV group). All groups were ventilated for 3 h using 100% oxygen, with the same ventilator settings of tidal volume of 12 ml/kg, respiratory frequency of 30/min, and positive end-expiratory pressure of 6 cm H2O. In the PFC group, PaO2 increased from 67.2 +/- 11.4 to 424.2 +/- 14 mm Hg and remained stable for 3 h with well-preserved PaCO2 values. Only in the PFC group were significant decreases in airway pressures and increase in respiratory system compliance seen. In the CPPV group, PaO2 stayed around 60 mm Hg and PaCO2 gradually increased. PFC treatment with conventional mechanical ventilation in acute respiratory failure proved to be a successful supportive technique to improve gas exchange at low inflation pressures.

Oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production during liquid ventilation

Liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon (PFCV) has advantages over conventional gas ventilation (GV) in premature and lung-injured newborn animals. Indirect calorimetric measurement of both oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) during PFCV has not been previously performed. In addition, comparison to indirect calorimetric measurement of VO2 and VCO2 during GV has not been evaluated. Ten fasted normal cats weighing 2.6 to 3.9 kg were anesthetized with pentobarbital and pancuronium. Tracheostomy was performed. Gas exchange was measured across the native lung during GV and across the membrane lung of the liquid ventilator during PFCV. VO2 was measured using a modification of a previously described, indirect, closed-circuit, volumetric technique. VCO2 was analyzed by capnographic assay of the mixed-expired closed-circuit air. The VCO2/VO2 ratio (RQ) was calculated. There was no change in VO2, VCO2, or RQ during PFCV when compared with GV (VO2: GV = 5.7 +/- 0.3 mL/kg/min, PFCV = 5.6 +/- 0.5 mL/kg/min [P = NS]; VCO2: GV = 4.9 +/- 1.1 mL/kg/min, PFCV = 4.8 +/- 0.9 mL/kg/min [P = NS]; RQ: GV = 0.85 +/- 0.21, PFCV = 0.86 +/- 0.21 [P = NS]). During GV the PaO2 was higher than during PFCV (PaO2: GV = 335 +/- 70 mm Hg, PFCV = 267 +/- 83 mm Hg [P = .04]), as is expected because of the relative reduction in the inspiratory PiO2 of the perfluorocarbon during liquid ventilation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Liquid ventilation of human preterm neonates

This report details the application of liquid perfluorochemical ventilation for investigational therapy in three human preterm neonates (gestational ages 28, 24, and 23 weeks) in whom conventional therapies for severe respiratory distress had failed. Liquid ventilation was performed without difficulty in each infant for two 3- to 5-minute cycles by means of gravity-assisted technique. Marked improvement in lung distensibility, without a change in cardiovascular status, occurred in all three infants after liquid ventilation; oxygenation improved in two. All infants died within 19 hours of liquid ventilation, and there was no evidence of retained perfluorochemical fluid in the lungs or pleural space. Death was probably related to the severity of lung disease before the initiation of liquid ventilation. This satisfactory initial outcome shows the feasibility and potential of this treatment of pulmonary dysfunction in the preterm neonate.