Liquid ventilation

Partial liquid ventilation improves gas exchange and increases EELV in acute lung injury

Gas exchange is improved during partial liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon in animal models of acute lung injury. The specific mechanisms are unproved. We measured end-expiratory lung volume (EELV) by null-point body plethysmography in anesthetized sheep. Measurements of gas exchange and EELV were made before and after acute lung injury was induced with intravenous oleic acid to decrease EELV and worsen gas exchange. Measurements of gas exchange and EELV were again performed after partial liquid ventilation with 30 ml/kg of perfluorocarbon and compared with gas-ventilated controls. Oxygenation was significantly improved during partial liquid ventilation, and EELV (composite of gas and liquid) was significantly increased, compared with preliquid ventilation values and gas-ventilated controls. We conclude that partial liquid ventilation may directly recruit consolidated alveoli in the lung-injured sheep and that this may be one mechanism whereby gas exchange is improved.

Lung disease in premature neonates: impact of new treatments and technologies

Advances in perinatal medicine and neonatology have dramatically changed clinical outcomes for premature neonates and have ushered in a new era of radiological complexity. "Portable" chest radiographs continue to be the mainstay in diagnostic imaging of fragile newborns, but radiologists may be confronted with new and unexpected radiological expressions of once-familiar disease processes. Familiarity with the radiological impact of emerging treatments in premature neonates is essential for accurate film interpretation.

Changes in pulmonary vascular resistance in response to partial liquid ventilation

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perfluorocarbons decreases pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in injured piglet lungs without supplemental oxygen. These PVR changes may result either from direct mechanical effects or improved arterial oxygenation. In an uninjured hypoxic model of elevated PVR the authors asked the following questions: (1) Does prophylactic or therapeutic PLV ameliorate the PVR response to hypoxia? (2) Do prophylactic and therapeutic PLV have different PVR effects? (3) Does supplemental oxygen modify PVR response to PLV?

METHODS

Piglet (3 to 4 kg) lungs were isolated in situ without ischemia, hypoxia, or reperfusion injury. Pulmonary artery (PA) and left atrial (LA) cannulae were attached to a blood-primed extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) perfusion circuit with a flow (QPA) of 80 mL/kg/min. Pressure-limited, volume-cycled ventilation (PIP < 25 mm Hg, Tv = 15 mL/kg) was initiated. PLV with perfluorodecalin (15 mL/kg) was administered endotracheally. Continuously monitored blood gas parameters allowed airway and extracorporeal adjustment of FiO2 to produce a PO2 appropriate to the experimental phase. PVR was calculated as (PPA - PLA/QPA). After a stable 30-minute normoxic baseline, animals were assigned randomly to three groups. In group I, control (n = 7), PVR was measured for 150 minutes in hypoxic lungs (FiO2 = 0.07, PPAO2 = 40 mm Hg, SPAO2 = 70%). In group II, prophylactic (n = 8), PLV was administered, followed by 90 minutes of hypoxia, and 60 minutes of oxygen recovery (FiO2 = 0.21-0.30, PPAO2 > 100 mm Hg, SPAO2 = 100%). In group III, therapeutic (n = 8), after 30 hypoxic minutes, PLV was administered and maintained for 90 minutes, followed by a 60-minute oxygen recovery phase. Results were expressed as mean +/- SEM. Statistical analysis of groups was performed by repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey correction.

RESULTS

In group I normoxic gas-ventilated PVR was 174+/-12 mm Hg/L/kg/min. After 90 hypoxic minutes PVR was 318+/-37 (P < .01 vbaseline). In group II baseline PVR was 183+/-14. PVR after 30 normoxic minutes of PLV was 199+/-14 (P = ns v baseline). After 90 hypoxic minutes, PVR was 350+/-31 (P < .01 v baseline, and PLV alone) followed by a decrease to 192+/-19 after 60 minutes of oxygen recovery (P = ns v baseline or PLV alone). In group III baseline PVR was 160+/-17 and 325+/-29 after 30 hypoxic minutes. After 90 hypoxic minutes of PLV, PVR was 366+/-22 (P = ns v hypoxia control, P < .01 v normoxic baseline). PVR recovered to 189+/-19 after 60 minutes of oxygen recovery (P = ns v baseline).

CONCLUSIONS

Prophylactic/therapeutic PLV had no effect on hypoxia-induced increases in PVR and did not differ from each other. Although PLV alone decreases PVR in the injured lung without supplemental oxygen, elevated PVR associated with hypoxia was ameliorated only by supplemental oxygen in the liquid ventilated lung.

[Experimental study in partial liquid ventilation for acute respiratory failure after ischemia reperfusion pulmonary injury in a rabbit model]

Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) using perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB) was studied for use in treating experimental animal models in which acute respiratory failure was caused by hypoxia, oleic acid lung injury, or saline lung lavage. Clinical trials are currently being conducted in the United States. We studied the effectiveness of PLV with PFOB in treating acute respiratory failure after ischemia reperfusion pulmonary injury in a rabbit model; left lung ischemia was induced with a hilar clamp. Ninety minute later, the clamp was removed for reperfusion. Fifteen Japanese white rabbits weighing from 2.5 to 3.2 kg were divided into three groups-conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) after reperfusion, PLV after reperfusion and controls (conventional mechanical ventilation without ischemia reperfusion injury). In the PLV group, a dose of 7 ml/kg PFOB was administered through an endotracheal tube. In the CMV group, PaO2 value decreased to 79 +/- 13 mmHg 120 min after reperfusion, significantly lower than in the PLV group 404 +/- 70- or controls -494 +/- 61-. PaCO2 was significantly higher in the CMV group-61.9 +/- 14.4 mmHg- than in the PLV group-45.7 +/- 6.1- or controls-32.1 +/- 2.2. Peak airway pressure was slightly higher in the CMV group-19.0 +/- 4.9-than in the PLV group-18.2 +/- 5.4- or controls-16.2 +/- 1.8. mPAP/mSAP did not differ significantly among groups. The heart rate decreased in the CMV and PLV groups, but was unchanged in controls. Microscopic studies revealed markedly reduced alveolar hemorrhage, lung fluid accumulation, and inflammatory infiltration in the PLV group, compared to the CMV group. PLV thus is effective in improving gas exchange and preventing pulmonary injury in acute respiratory failure after ischemia reperfusion injury in a rabbit model.

Repeated doses of the perfluorocarbon FC-100 improve lung function of preterm lambs

Intratracheal administration of a single dose of the perfluorocarbon FC-100 improves lung function in surfactant-deficient animals. In this study we compared the response to repeated doses of FC-100 (3 mL/kg 3% solution, n = 5) with that observed after administration of Exosurf (5 mL/kg, n = 5) to mechanically ventilated preterm lambs of 125 d of gestation. The initial dose of FC-100 rapidly increased arterial PO2, decreased arterial PCO2, and improved arterial pH. Also dynamic lung compliance markedly improved with this agent. Administration of an additional dose of FC-100 resulted in relatively similar changes, albeit of lesser magnitude than those observed with the initial dose. In contrast, Exosurf did not improve these variables even after three doses. All lambs treated with FC-100 survived the 6-h study period, whereas one of the five Exosurf-treated lambs survived (p < 0.05). Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate decreased in those lambs that received FC-100, but not in surviving lambs that received Exosurf. Our data demonstrate that repeated intratracheal administration of the perfluorocarbon FC-100 improves lung function and survival of surfactant-deficient lambs better than the synthetic surfactant Exosurf. We speculate that tensio-active agents with properties different from surfactant, such as FC-100, might improve lung function in preterm neonates with diseases due to surfactant deficiency.

Liquid-assisted ventilation: physiology and clinical application

Liquid-assisted ventilation, as an alternative ventilation strategy for respiratory distress, is progressing from theory and basic science research to clinical application. Biochemically inert perfluorochemical liquids have low surface tension and high solubility for respiratory gases. From early immersion experiments, two primary techniques for liquid-assisted ventilation have emerged: total liquid ventilation and partial liquid ventilation. While computer-controlled, time-cycled, pressure/volume-limited total liquid ventilators can take maximum advantage of these liquids by completely eliminating the gas phase in the distressed lung, partial liquid ventilation takes advantage of having these liquids in the lung while maintaining gas ventilation. The benefits of both partial and total techniques have been demonstrated in animal models of neonatal and adult respiratory distress syndrome, aspiration syndromes and congenital diaphragmatic hernia and also in combination with other therapeutic modalities including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, high-frequency ventilation and nitric oxide. Additionally, nonrespiratory applications have expanding potential including pulmonary drug delivery and radiographic imaging. Since its use in neonates in 1989, liquid-assisted ventilation in humans has progressed to a variety of clinical experiences with different aetiologies of respiratory distress. The future holds the opportunity to clarify and optimize the potential of multiple clinical applications for liquid-assisted ventilation.

Perflubron decreases inflammatory cytokine production by human alveolar macrophages

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether inflammatory cytokine production by stimulated human alveolar macrophages is affected by perflubron exposure.

DESIGN

Controlled laboratory investigation of alveolar macrophage function in vitro.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Cultured alveolar macrophages obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from eleven normal volunteers.

INTERVENTIONS

Endotoxin-stimulated alveolar macrophages were treated with perflubron.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Alveolar macrophages were stimulated for 1 hr with lipopolysaccharide and then treated with perflubron for 23 hrs. Cell-free supernatants were collected and cytokines were assayed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 were stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) and all of these cytokines were significantly (p < .05) inhibited by perflubron. Cell viability was not affected by perflubron. Basal cytokine concentrations from unstimulated alveolar macrophages were not altered by perflubron.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure of stimulated human alveolar macrophages to perflubron in vitro decreases cytokine production. This observation suggests that perflubron may have anti-inflammatory activity.

Pulmonary administration of gentamicin during liquid ventilation in a newborn lamb lung injury model

OBJECTIVES

Newborns with pulmonary infection frequently present with acute lung injury leading to ventilation/perfusion abnormalities in which intravenous delivery of antibiotics to the lung can be suboptimal. Tidal liquid ventilation (TLV) has been shown to be an effective means for delivering drugs directly to the pulmonary system. The objective of this study was to compare, with lung injury, antibiotic delivery achieved by conventional techniques (gas ventilation and intravenous gentamicin) with that using pulmonary administration of drug (PAD) during TLV.

METHODS

Twelve newborn lambs with an acid lung injury were randomized to receive gentamicin either intravenously during gas ventilation or via PAD during TLV using LiquiVent (Alliance Pharmaceutical Corporation, San Diego, CA, and Hoechst-Marion Roussel, Bridgewater, NJ) perfluorochemical. Gentamicin (5 mg/kg) was administered over 1 minute, and serum levels were obtained at 15-minute intervals. Arterial blood gases and pulmonary mechanics were measured. Ventilation efficiency index and arterial/alveolar oxygen ratio were calculated. Lung-tissue gentamicin levels were measured 4 hours after administration and corrected to dry weight.

RESULTS

Serum gentamicin levels were similar in both groups. Lung gentamicin levels (micrograms/g) were significantly higher for TLV. Also, TLV resulted in significantly more of the total delivered dose in the lung after 4 hours. Ventilation efficiency index and arterial/alveolar oxygen ratios were significantly higher for TLV.

CONCLUSIONS

In this lung injury model, both methods achieved equivalent serum gentamicin levels with higher lung levels using PAD during TLV. This study suggests that TLV may provide an effective vehicle for gentamicin delivery in infants with severe pulmonary infection and ventilation/perfusion abnormalities.

Exogenous surfactant and partial liquid ventilation: physiologic and pathologic effects

We compared the effects of surfactant and partial liquid ventilation (PLV), and the impact of administration order, on oxygenation, respiratory system compliance (Crs), hemodynamics, and lung pathology in an animal lung injury model. We studied four groups: surfactant alone (S; n = 8); partial liquid ventilation alone (PLV-only; n = 8); surfactant followed by partial liquid ventilation (S-PLV; n = 8); and partial liquid ventilation-followed by surfactant (PLV-S; n = 8). Following treatments, all animals had improved oxygenation index (OI) and Crs. Animals in PLV groups showed continued improvement over 2 h (% change OI: PLV-S -83% versus S -47%, p < 0.05; % change Crs: S-PLV 73% versus S 13%, p < 0.05). We also saw administration-order effects: surfactant before PLV improved Crs (0.92 ml/cm H2O after surfactant versus 1.13 ml/cm H2O after PLV, p < 0.02) without changing OI, whereas surfactant after PLV did not change Crs and OI increased (5.01 after PLV versus 8.92 after surfactant, p < 0.03). Hemodynamics were not different between groups. Pathologic analysis demonstrated decreased lung injury in dependent lobes of all PLV-treated animals, and in all lobes of S-PLV animals, when compared with the lobes of the S animals (p < 0.05). We conclude that surfactant therapy in combination with PLV improved oxygenation, respiratory system mechanics, and lung pathology to a greater degree than surfactant therapy alone. Administration order affected initial physiologic response and ultimate pathology: surfactant given before PLV produced the greatest improvements in pathologic outcomes.

Pulmonary dysfunction in neonatal SP-B-deficient mice

Pulmonary function was assessed in newborn wild-type and homozygous and heterozygous surfactant protein B (SP-B)-deficient mice after birth. SP-B +/+ and SP-B+/- mice became well oxygenated and survived postnatally. Although lung compliance was decreased slightly in the SP-B+/- mice, lung volumes and compliances were decreased markedly in homozygous SP-B-/- mice. They died rapidly after birth, failing to inflate their lungs or oxygenate. SP-B proprotein was absent in the SP-B-/- mice and was reduced in the SP-B+/- mice, as assessed by Western analysis. Surfactant protein A, surfactant proprotein C, surfactant protein D, and surfactant phospholipid content in lungs from SP-B+/- and SP-B-/- mice were not altered. Lung saturated phosphatidylcholine and precursor incorporation into saturated phosphatidylcholine were not influenced by SP-B genotype. Intratracheal administration of perfluorocarbon resulted in lung expansion, oxygenation, and prolonged survival of SP-B-/- mice and in reduced lung compliance in SP-B+/+ and SP-B+/- mice. Lack of SP-B caused respiratory failure at birth, and decreased SP-B protein was associated with reduced lung compliance. These findings demonstrate the critical role of SP-B in perinatal adaptation to air breathing.

Analysis of perfluorochemical elimination from the respiratory system

We describe a simple apparatus for analysis of perfluorochemicals (PFC) in expired gas and thus a means for determining PFC vapor and liquid elimination from the respiratory system. The apparatus and data analysis are based on thermal conduction and mass transfer principles of gases. In vitro studies were conducted with the PFC vapor analyzer to determine calibration curves for output voltage as a function of individual respiratory gases, respiratory gases saturated with PFC vapor, and volume percent standards for percent PFC saturation (%PFC-Sat) in air. Voltage-concentration data for %PFC-Sat of the vapor from the in vitro tests were accurate to within 2.0% from 0 to 100% PFC-Sat, linear (r = 0.99, P < 0.001), and highly reproducible. Calculated volume loss of PFC liquid over time correlated well with actual loss by weight (r = 0.99, P < 0. 001). In vivo studies with neonatal lambs demonstrated that PFC volume loss and evaporation rates decreased nonlinearly as a function of time. These relationships were modulated by changes in PFC physical properties, minute ventilation, and postural repositioning. The results of this study demonstrate the sensitivity and accuracy of an on-line method for PFC analysis of expired gas and describe how it may be useful in liquid-assisted ventilation procedures for determining PFC volume loss, evaporation rate, and optimum dosing and ventilation strategy.

Distribution of pulmonary blood flow and total lung water during partial liquid ventilation in acute lung injury

BACKGROUND

Gas exchange is improved during partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perfluorocarbon in animal models of acute lung injury. The mechanisms are not fully defined. We hypothesize that redistribution of pulmonary blood flow (PBF) along with redistribution of, and decrease in, total lung water (TLW) during PLV may improve oxygenation.

METHODS

We characterized PBF and TLW in anesthetized adult dogs by using positron emission tomography with H2(15)O. Measurements of gas exchange, PBF, and TLW were made before and after acute lung injury was induced with intravenous oleic acid. The same measurements were made during PLV (with 30 ml/kg perfluorocarbon) and compared with gas ventilated (GV) controls.

RESULTS

Oxygenation was significantly improved during PLV. PBF redistributed from the dependent zone of the lung to the nondependent zones, thus potentially improving ventilation/perfusion relationships. However, a similar pattern of PBF redistribution was observed during GV such that there was no significant difference between groups. TLW redistributed in a similar pattern during PLV. By quantitative measurements, PLV ameliorated the continued accumulation of TLW compared with GV animals.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that PBF and TLW redistribution and attenuation of increases in TLW may contribute to the improvement in gas exchange during PLV in the setting of acute lung injury.

Virtual bronchoscopy with perfluoronated hydrocarbon enhancement

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES

Bronchoscopic computed tomography (CT) is limited by machine resolution and air-soft-tissue contrast. The objective of this study was to determine whether improving the contrast by using the contrast agent perflubron (PFOB) in the lung would improve the bronchoscopic CT technique and permit visualization of small airways.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Bronchoscopic CT was performed in an anesthetized 8-week-old New Zealand white rabbit before and after the endotracheal administration of PFOB.

RESULTS

Bronchoscopic CT performed with PFOB permitted navigation of bronchi as small as 0.8 mm in diameter, which are much smaller than those that can be navigated without PFOB.

CONCLUSION

In this example, the use of perfluorochemicals with bronchoscopic CT enhanced the capabilities of virtual bronchoscopy.

Partial liquid ventilation: a comparison using conventional and high-frequency techniques in an animal model of acute respiratory failure

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that high-frequency ventilation (HFV), when compared with conventional techniques, enhances respiratory gas exchange during partial liquid ventilation (PLV).

DESIGN

A four-period crossover design.

SETTING

Animal research laboratory of Children's Health Care-St. Paul.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-two newborn piglets, weighing 1.40 +/- 0.39 kg.

INTERVENTIONS

Animals were divided into four groups of eight animals: a) PLV with high-frequency jet ventilation; b) PLV with jet ventilation using a background intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) rate; c) PLV with high-frequency oscillation; or d) PLV with high-frequency flow interruption using a background IMV rate. After anesthesia, paralysis, and tracheotomy, a normal saline wash procedure produced lung injury. Perfluorocarbon was then instilled via the endotracheal tube in an amount estimated to represent functional residual capacity. Animals received randomly either PLV using conventional techniques or PLV using the selected HFV technique as initial treatment. Then, animals were crossed over to the alternative treatment at equal mean airway pressure, as measured at the endotracheal tube tip. This sequence was repeated for a total of four crossover periods, such that all animals were treated twice with PLV using conventional techniques and twice with PLV using HFV.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

We measured airway pressures at the endotracheal tube tip, aortic and central venous blood pressures, arterial blood gases, and respiratory system mechanics at baseline, after induction of lung injury, and at specified intervals throughout the experiment. Measurements were made before and 15 mins after crossovers, then ventilators were adjusted to normalize gas exchange. Measurements were again made 30 mins later, at the end of the treatment period. All types of PLV provided adequate gas exchange. Only PLV using jet ventilation with IMV produced gas exchange equal to that seen during PLV using conventional techniques at equivalent mean airway pressure. By the end of the treatment periods, only PLV using high-frequency oscillation continued to require higher airway pressure than PLV using conventional techniques for equivalent gas exchange.

CONCLUSIONS

Gas exchange was not enhanced during PLV-HFV. Application of HFV with PLV provides no clear acute physiologic advantages to PLV using more conventional techniques.

Comparison of perfluorochemical fluids used for liquid ventilation: effect of endotracheal tube flow resistance

Neonatal endotracheal tubes with small inner diameters are associated with increased resistance regardless of the medium used for assisted ventilation. During liquid ventilation (LV) reduced interfacial tension and pressure drop along the airways result in lower alveolar inflation pressure compared with gas ventilation (GV). This is possible by optimizing liquid ventilation strategies to overcome the resistive forces associated with liquid density (rho) and viscosity (mu) of these fluids. Knowledge of the effect of rho, mu, and endotracheal tube (ETT) size on resistance is essential to optimize LV strategies. To evaluate these physical properties, three perfluorochemical (PFC) fluids with a range of kinematic viscosities (FC-75 = 0.82, LiquiVent = 1.10, APF-140 = 2.90) and four different neonatal ETT tubes (Mallincrokdt Hi-Lo Jet ID 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, and 4.0 mm) were studied. Under steady-state flow, flow and pressure drop across the ETTs were measured simultaneously. Resistance was calculated by dividing pressure drop by flow, and both pressure-flow and resistance-flow relationships were plotted. Also, pressure drop and resistance were each plotted as a function of kinematic viscosity at flows of 0.01 L.s-1 for all four ETT sizes. Data demonstrated a quadratic relationship with respect to pressure drop versus flow, and a linear relationship with resistance versus flow: both were significantly correlated (R = 0.92; P < 0.01) and were inversely related to ETT size. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between pressure drop or resistance and kinematic viscosity (R = 0.99; P < 0.01). For LV in neonates these data can be used to select the optimum ETT size and PFC liquid depending OR the chosen ventilation strategy.

Oxygen dynamics during partial liquid ventilation in a sheep model of severe respiratory failure

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the relationship of dose of perflubron and gas tidal volume to oxygen dynamics during partial liquid ventilation in the setting of respiratory failure.

METHODS

Lung injury was induced in 16 sheep by using right atrial injection of 0.15 ml/kg oleic acid. Animals were ventilated with 15 ml/kg gas tidal volume and stabilized. Animals were then divided into three groups: (1) gas ventilation with a tidal volume of 15 ml/kg (control, GV, n = 5); (2) partial liquid ventilation at a gas tidal volume of 15 ml/kg with 10 ml/kg incremental pulmonary dosage of perflubron from 10 to 50 ml/kg (best fill, BF, n = 6); (3) administration of 35 ml/kg perflubron pulmonary dose with 5 ml/kg incremental increase in gas tidal volume from 10 to 30 ml/kg (best tidal volume, BTV, n = 5).

RESULTS

Arterial oxygen saturation increased with increasing dose of perflubron and gas tidal volume (BF, p = 0.01; BTV, p = 0.001). A simultaneous trend toward a reduction in cardiac index was observed with increasing dose of perflubron (BF, p = 0.01). Maximal increase in mixed venous oxygen saturation was observed in the BF and BTV groups at a cumulative perflubron dose of 40 ml/kg and a gas tidal volume of 20 ml/kg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In this sheep lung injury model oxygenation improves with incremental increases in perflubron dose or gas tidal volume, and the mixed venous oxygen saturation appears to be optimal at a cumulative perflubron dose of 40 ml/kg and a gas tidal volume of 20 ml/kg.

[Liquid ventilation: a new mode of ventilation in neonatology?]

Liquid ventilation is based on perfluorocarbons capacity to transport O2 and CO2. Almost 30 years of experimental studies have shown its feasibility and high performances. Results of the first clinical applications in severe neonatal respiratory failure are encouraging. Results of larger randomized and controlled studies, actually in preparation, are awaited with interest.

Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) and lung injury: is PLV able to modify pulmonary vascular resistance?

INTRODUCTION

Partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perfluorocarbons can be advantageous in treating lung injury. We studied this phenomenon in isolated piglet lungs devoid of systemic detractors by studying the changes in pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after lung injury with and without PLV. The following questions were asked. (1) Does PLV alone affect PVR in the uninjured lung? (2) Does PLV prevent the increase in PVR associated with oleic acid-induced lung injury? (3) Does PLV modify the increase in PVR associated with oleic acid lung injury? (4) Are the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of PLV on the increased PVR associated with oleic acid-induced lung injury different?

METHODS

Neonatal piglet (3 to 4 kg) lungs were prepared without pulmonary ischemia, hypoxia, or reperfusion injury for in situ study. Before pulmonary vascular isolation (eg, aortic and ductus arteriosus ligation) the pulmonary artery (PA) and left atrium (LA) were cannulated and attached to a blood-primed perfusion circuit (flow; 80 mL/kg/min). Pressure-limited volume-cycled ventilation (FiO2, 0.21; TV, 15 mL/kg; PIP, 25 cm H2O) was accomplished via occlusive tracheostomy. Blood gas parameters were monitored continuously and maintained within normal range (SpaO2, 75%; pH, 7.35 to 7.45; pCO2, 35 to 45 torr). Pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), left atrial pressure (PLa) and pulmonary blood flow (Qpa) were recorded and PVR calculated (PVR = Ppa - Pla/Qpa). After achieving a stable baseline with gas ventilation only, the animal preparations were assigned to one of the following four groups. In group 1 (n = 7) PLV was given alone, using endotracheally administered perfluorodecalin (15 mL/kg). In group 2 (Prophylactic, n = 7) PLV was given prophylactically 60 minutes before lung injury induced by injecting oleic acid (OA) at 0.08 mL/kg into the pulmonary artery. In group 3 (Therapeutic, n = 8) PLV was given 60 minutes after OA-induced lung injury. PPA, PLA, and QPA were measured and PVR was calculated. In group 4 (n = 7) OA was given alone. Significance of differences between groups was obtained by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results were expressed as mean +/- SEM (mm Hg/L/Kg).

RESULTS

Group I showed baseline PVR of the normoxic gas ventilated animals was 127 +/- 19 mm Hg/L/kg. PVR 180 minutes after PLV administration was 160 +/- 15 mm Hg/L/kg (P = ns v baseline). In group 2 after OA infusion, PVR increased from 109 +/- 13 to 281 +/- 26 mm Hg/L/kg (P < .01 v baseline), and 60 minutes later, PVR decreased to 193 +/- 22 mm Hg/L/kg (P < .05 v OA). In group 3 PVR on gas ventilation, before lung injury, was 137 +/- 28 mm Hg/L/kg. Sixty minutes after OA infusion, PVR increased to 314 +/- 23 mm Hg/L/kg (P < .01 v baseline). After 60 additional minutes of PLV, PVR decreased to 201 +/- 31 mm Hg/L/kg, (P < .05 v maximum). In group 4 baseline PVR was 96 +/- 16 mm Hg/L/kg. After 120 minutes of OA injection, PVR increased to 414 +/- 20 mm Hg/L/kg (P < .01 v baseline). Endpoint analysis of PVR at the conclusion of the recording interval showed no difference between group 2 and group 3 (P = not significant [ns]).

CONCLUSIONS

(1) PLV does not significantly after PVR in the uninjured lung when given for 2 hours; (2) prophylactic administration of PLV prevents the sustained increase in PVR known to be induced by OA injury; (3) PLV abates OA-induced elevation in PVR when given therapeutically after injury; and (4) Prophylactic and therapeutic PLV have similar effects on PVR in the OA-injured lung.

Partial liquid ventilation in critically ill infants receiving extracorporeal life support. Philadelphia Liquid Ventilation Consortium

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate that a period of partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perflubron improves pulmonary function, without adverse events, in a select group of critically ill infants receiving extracorporeal life support (ECLS) with a high likelihood of mortality.

METHODS

This was an open-label, noncontrolled, phase I and II trial of PLV in two infants with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and four infants with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who were failing to improve while receiving ECLS. PLV was performed by instilling and maintaining a functional residual capacity of sterile perflubron for 4 to 96 hours.

RESULTS

Four infants were successfully weaned off ECLS for at least 3 days, and two infants (both with ARDS) are long-term survivors after PLV. All infants demonstrated lung recruitment and improved lung compliance, and there were no adverse events related to PLV.

CONCLUSIONS

The study suggests that perflubron PLV is safe, improves lung function, and recruits lung volume in critically ill infants receiving ECLS. PLV therapy for infants with ARDS seems to have a great deal of promise. Based on this and other phase I and II trials, studies of PLV on selected full-term infants before ECLS have been initiated.

[Current aspects of acute respiratory distress syndrome in children]

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a frequent condition in pediatric intensive care units. The mortality remains high despite advances in conventional mechanical ventilation and aetiological treatment. Several animal studies have documented lung injury during mechanical ventilation with high tidal volume, and clinical investigations have shown that in human ARDS, most ventilation is distributed to the small areas of remaining aerated lung resulting in overdistension of these areas and lung injury ("baby lung" theory). Nevertheless the usefulness of extrapulmonary gas exchange remains much debated. New ventilatory strategies have been developed in order to reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and to improve systemic oxygenation but multicentric randomized clinical trials are needed before these strategies can be validated.

Adjuncts to mechanical ventilation

Adjunctive ventilatory strategies have been developed to improve oxygenation and carbon dioxide (CO2) removal during mechanical ventilation of critically ill patients. These techniques allow clinicians to attain their clinical goals at lower levels of ventilatory support. In this article, the authors discuss extracorporeal CO2 removal, venovenous intravena caval oxygenator, and tracheal gas insufflation as adjuncts to CO2 removal and nitric oxide, surfactant replacement therapy, perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange, and prone positioning as adjuncts to oxygenation.

Liquid ventilation: an alternative ventilation strategy for management of neonatal respiratory distress

Perfluorochemical (PFC) liquids have great potential for biomedical use and the support of respiration. Currently, there are several commercially available PFC fluids which meet the physiochemical property requirements as well as purity specifications necessary to perform many of the discussed biomedical applications. Moreover, state-of-the-art fluorine chemistry should enable production of new PFC liquids uniquely sculptured relative to the proposed specific application (ie. vehicle for pulmonary delivery of drugs, a diluent for pulmonary lavage, a medium for respiratory gas exchange). In addition to PFC fluid requirements, there have been several techniques reported for liquid assisted ventilation. These methods include total liquid ventilation, liquid lavage, and partial liquid ventilation. The efficacy of these various techniques is under extensive investigation with respect to specific types of lung dysfunction. Liquid ventilation (LV) techniques have the potential to treat lung disease with less risk of barotrauma and provide the means for direct and uniform delivery of pulmonary agents to injured or dysfunctional sites in the lung. For LV to assume a role in clinical medicine it must be shown to be safe and effective with respect to other therapies or in combination with current therapies. Although the use of LV in animal and initial clinical studies has been impressive to date, better documentation of efficacy in human disease will be required. Further controlled multi-center clinical trials are warranted and are currently in progress.

Evaluation of gas exchange, pulmonary compliance, and lung injury during total and partial liquid ventilation in the acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether pulmonary compliance and gas exchange will be sustained during "total" perfluorocarbon liquid ventilation followed by "partial" perfluorocarbon liquid ventilation when compared with gas ventilation in the setting of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

STUDY DESIGN

A prospective, controlled, laboratory study.

SETTING

A university research laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Ten sheep, weighing 12.7 to 25.0 kg.

INTERVENTIONS

Lung injury was induced in ten young sheep, utilizing a right atrial injection of 0.07 mL/kg of oleic acid followed by saline pulmonary lavage. Bijugular venovenous extracorporeal life support access, a pulmonary artery catheter, and a carotid artery catheter were placed. When the alveolar-arterial O2 gradient was >/= 600 torr and PaO2 </= 50 torr (</= 6.7 kPa) with an FIO2 of 1.0, extracorporeal life support was instituted. For the first 30 mins on extracorporeal life support, all animals were ventilated with gas. Animals were then ventilated with equal tidal volumes of 15 mL/kg during gas ventilation (n=5) over the ensuing 2.5 hrs, or with total liquid ventilation for 1 hr, followed by partial liquid ventilation for 1.5 hrs (total/partial liquid ventilation, n=5).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

An increase in physiologic shunt (gas ventilation = 69 +/- 11%, total/partial liquid ventilation = 71 +/- 3%) and a decrease in static total pulmonary compliance measured at 20 mL/kg inflation volume (gas ventilation = O.48 +/- 0.03 mL/cm H2O/kg, total/partial liquid ventilation = 0.50 +/- 0.17 mL/cm H2O/kg) were observed in both groups with induction of lung injury. Physiologic shunt was significantly reduced during total and partial liquid ventilation when compared with physiologic shunt observed in the gas ventilation animals (gas ventilation = 93 +/- 8%, total liquid ventilation = 45 +/- 11%, p<.001; gas ventilation = 95 +/- 3%, partial liquid ventilation = 61 +/- 12%, p<.001), while static compliance was significantly increased in the total, but not the partial liquid ventilated animals when compared with the gas ventilated group (gas ventilation = 0.43 +/- 0.03 mL/cm H2O/kg, total liquid ventilation = 1.13 +/- 18 mL/cm H2O/kg, p <.001; gas ventilation = 0.41 +/- 0.02 mL/cm H2O/kg, partial liquid ventilation = 0.47 +/- 0.08, p = .151). In addition, the extracorporeal life support flow rate required to maintain adequate oxygenation was significantly lower in the total/partial liquid ventilation group when compared with that of the gas ventilation group (gas ventilation = 89 +/- 7 mL/kg/min, total liquid ventilation = 22 +/- 10 mL/kg/min, p <.001; gas ventilation = 91 +/- 12 mL/kg/min, partial liquid ventilation = 41 +/- 11 mL/kg/min, p < .001). Lung biopsy light microscopy demonstrated a marked reduction in alveolar hemorrhage, lung fluid accumulation, and inflammatory infiltration in the total/partial liquid ventilation animals when compared with the gas ventilation animals.

CONCLUSIONS

In a model of severe ARDS, pulmonary gas exchange is improved during total followed by partial liquid ventilation. Pulmonary compliance is improved during total, but not during partial liquid ventilation. Total followed by partial liquid ventilation was associated with a reduction in alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, and lung inflammatory infiltration.

Partial liquid ventilation in newborn patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

The authors evaluated the safety and efficacy of liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon in four newborns with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and severe respiratory failure, who were on extracorporeal life support (ECLS). After 2 to 5 days on the ECLS, perflubron was administered into the trachea until the dependent zone of the lung was filled. The first dose was 6 +/- 1 mL/kg (range, 5 to 8 mL/kg). Gas ventilation of the perflubron-filled lung was performed (partial liquid ventilation). The administration of perflubron was repeated daily for 5 to 6 days, with total cumulative doses of 36 +/- 8 mL/kg (range, 26 to 44 mL/kg). A significant increase in PaO(2) (P = .027 by repeated-measures analysis of variance [ANOVA]), a trend toward an increase in arterial oxygen content (P = .052 by repeated-measures ANOVA), and a significant increase in specific static total pulmonary compliance (P = .007 by repeated-measures ANOVA) were observed after administration of the daily dose of perflubron. PaCO(2) data showed a decreasing trend (P = .08 by repeated measures ANOVA). The authors conclude that perflubron can be safely administered into the lungs of newborn patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and severe respiratory failure, and it may be associated with improvement in gas exchange and pulmonary compliance.

Partial liquid ventilation provides effective gas exchange in a large animal model

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to show the ability of partial liquid ventilation (PLV) to sustain gas exchange in normal large (50 to 70 kg) adult animals.

METHODS

Ten adult sheep (53.7 +/- 2.8 kg) were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. Sequential dosing of perflubron (LiquiVent, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp, San Diego, CA) was performed to cumulative doses of 10 mL/kg, 20 mL/kg, 40 mL/kg, and 60 mL/kg. Physiological data were assessed at baseline and after each dose. Five animals were rotated through the left decubitus, right decubitus, supine, and prone positions while five animals remained prone throughout the experiment.

RESULTS

PaO2 and PaCO2 did not change significantly from baseline during administration of perflubron except for the PaO2 in rotated animals when supine (rotated-supine PaO2: baseline = 519 +/- 64 mm Hg; 60 mL/kg = 380 +/- 109 mm Hg, P = .0131). In both groups, static lung compliance (CT) decreased steadily with each successive perflubron instillation (nonrotated CT: baseline = 1.55 +/- 0.22 mL/cm H2O/kg; 60 mL/kg = 0.52 +/- 0.10 ml/cmH2O/kg, P = .0003).

CONCLUSIONS

These data show that during PLV in this normal animal model, effective gas exchange is sustained and CT decreases with increasing perflubron dose.

Pneumomediastinum: elucidation of the anatomic pathway by liquid ventilation

Partial liquid ventilation is a new technique to improve oxygenation in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. In a patient with status asthmaticus and tension pneumothorax treated with subsequent liquid ventilation, radiopaque perfluorocarbon was identified along brochiovascular structures, in the mediastinum, and in the retroperitoneum. Perfluorocarbon outlined on CT and chest radiography the anatomic pathway by which spontaneous pneumomediastinum develops following alveolar rupture, as described earlier by histopathologic study in animals. This represents the radiopaque equivalent of radiolucent pneumomediastinum. Perfluorocarbon remained in the pulmonary interstitium on radiography 30 days after beginning liquid ventilation, without sequelae.

Total liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbons increases pulmonary end-expiratory volume and compliance in the setting of lung atelectasis

OBJECTIVE

To compare compliance and end-expiratory lung volume during reexpansion of normal and surfactant-deficient ex vivo atelectatic lungs with either gas or total liquid ventilation.

DESIGN

Controlled, animal study using an ex vivo lung preparation.

SETTING

A research laboratory at a university medical center.

SUBJECTS

Thirty-six adult cats, weighing 2.5 to 4.0 kg.

INTERVENTIONS

Heparin (300 U/kg) was administered, cats were killed, and lungs were excised en bloc. Normal lungs and saline-lavaged, surfactant-deficient lungs were allowed to passively collapse and remain atelectatic for 1 hr. Lungs then were placed in a plethysmograph and ventilated for 2 hrs with standardized volumes of either room air or perfluorocarbon. Static pulmonary compliance and end-expiratory lung volume were measured every 30 mins.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Reexpansion of normal atelectatic lungs with total liquid ventilation was associated with an 11-fold increase in end-expiratory lung volume when compared with the increase in end-expiratory lung volume observed with gas ventilation (total liquid ventilation 50 +/- 14 mL, gas ventilation 4 +/- 9 mL, p < .0001). The difference was even more pronounced in the surfactant-deficient lungs with an approximately 19-fold increase in end-expiratory lung volume observed in the total liquid ventilated group, compared with the gas ventilated group (total liquid ventilation 44 +/- 17 mL, gas ventilation 2 +/- 8 mL, p = .0001). Total liquid ventilation was associated with an increase in pulmonary compliance when compared with gas ventilation in both normal and surfactant-deficient lungs (normal: gas ventilation 6 +/- 1 mL/cm H2O, total liquid ventilation 14 +/- 4 mL/cm H2O, p < .0001; surfactant-deficient: gas ventilation 4 +/- 1 mL/cm H2O, total liquid ventilation 9 +/- 3 mL/cm H2O, p < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

End-expiratory lung volume and static compliance are increased significantly following attempted reexpansion with total liquid ventilation when compared with gas ventilation in normal and surfactant-deficient, atelectatic lungs. The ability of total liquid ventilation to enhance recruitment of atelectatic lung regions may be an important means by which gas exchange is improved during total liquid ventilation when compared with gas ventilation in the setting of respiratory failure.

Initial experience with partial liquid ventilation in pediatric patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Liquid ventilation with perfluorocarbon previously has not been reported in pediatric patients with respiratory failure beyond the neonatal period. We evaluated the technique of partial liquid ventilation in six pediatric patients with the acute respiratory distress syndrome of sufficient severity to require extracorporeal life support (ECLS).

DESIGN

This study was a noncontrolled, phase I/II experimental study with a single group pretest/posttest design.

SETTING

All studies were performed at a tertiary, pediatric referral hospital at the University of Michigan Medical School.

PATIENTS

Six pediatric patients, from 8 wks to 5 1/2 yrs of age, with severe respiratory failure requiring ECLS to support gas exchange.

INTERVENTIONS

After 2 to 9 days on ECLS, perfluorocarbon was administered into the trachea until the dependent zone of each lung was filled. The initial administered was 12.9 +/- 2.3 mL/kg (range 5 to 20). Gas ventilation of the perfluorocarbon-filled lungs (partial liquid ventilation) was then performed. The perfluorocarbon dose was repeated daily for a total of 3 to 7 days, with a cumulative dose of 45.2 +/- 6.1 mL/kg (range 30 to 72.5).

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

All measurements of native gas exchange were made during brief periods of discontinuation of ECLS and include PaO2 and the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, P(A-a)O2. Static pulmonary compliance, corrected for weight, was also measured directly. The mean PaO2 increased from 39 +/- 6 to 92 +/- 29 torr (5.2 +/- 0.8 to 12.2 +/- 3.9 kPa) over the 96 hrs after the initial dose (p = .021 by repeated-measures analysis of variance). The average P(A-a)O2 decreased from 635 +/- 10 to 499 +/- 77 torr (84.7 +/- 1.3 to 66.5 +/- 10.3 kPa) over the same time period (p = .059), while the mean static pulmonary compliance (normalized for patient weight) increased from 0.12 +/- 0.02 to 0.28 +/- 0.08 mL/cm H2O/kg (p = .01). All six patients survived. Complications potentially associated with partial liquid ventilation were limited to pneumothoraces in two of six patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Perfluorocarbon may be safely administered into the lungs of pediatric patients with severe respiratory failure on ECLS and may be associated with improvement in gas exchange and pulmonary compliance.

Liquid ventilation in adults, children, and full-term neonates

We evaluated the safety and efficacy of partial liquid ventilation in a series of 19 adults, children, and neonates who were in respiratory failure and on extracorporeal life support. During partial liquid ventilation, the alveolar-arterial oxygen difference decreased from 590 (SE 25) to 471 (42) mm Hg (p = 0.0002) and static pulmonary compliance increased from 0.18 (0.04) to 0.29 (0.04) mL cm H2O-1 kg-1 (p = 0.0002). 11 patients (58%) survived. These preliminary data suggest that partial liquid ventilation can be safely used in patients with severe respiratory failure and may improve lung function.

Combined gas ventilation and perfluorochemical tracheal instillation as an alternative treatment for lethal congenital diaphragmatic hernia in lambs

Tracheal instillation of perfluorochemical liquid (PFC) lowers surface tension in the lung and thus might reduce barotrauma commonly associated with conventional gas ventilation (GV) in highly immature and hypoplastic lungs. It could be a promising alternative treatment for congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) when GV alone is proving inefficient. The authors compared data for eight newborn lambs with surgically induced CDH. The animals had GV and were studied (in 2 groups) for up to 3.5 hours. Group 1 (GV, n = 4) had gas ventilation only. In group 2 (PFC, n = 4), after 30 minutes of GV, 10 to 12 mL/kg of warmed, oxygenated PFC liquid (LiquiVent) was instilled into the lung via the trachea under pressure-volume curve monitoring. Arterial pressure, blood chemistry, and pulmonary mechanics were evaluated serially; histological analysis was performed. One preassigned animal in group 1 died after 15 minutes. After 30 minutes of life, the cardiopulmonary profile of survivors was indicative of severe respiratory distress (Pao2 < 72 mm Hg with FIO2 at 1.0, PaCO2 > 90 mm Hg, compliance < 0.10 mL/cm H2O/kg) and not different between groups; the severity of pulmonary hypoplasia was further confirmed postmortem; the ratio of lung weight to body weight was 41% of that observed in control lambs, in both gas-only and combined gas/PFC-ventilated animals, compared with their respective controls. After instillation of PFC, there were dramatic improvements in acid-base status and pulmonary compliance in group 2. Survival at 3.5 hours also was markedly different (4 of 4 PFC animals and 1 of 3 GV animals).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Improvement of gas exchange, pulmonary function, and lung injury with partial liquid ventilation. A study model in a setting of severe respiratory failure

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To evaluate gas exchange, pulmonary function, and lung histology during gas ventilation of the perfluorocarbon-filled lung compared with gas ventilation of the gas-filled lung in severe respiratory failure.

STUDY DESIGN

Application of gas (GV) or partial liquid (PLV) ventilation in lung-injured sheep.

SETTING

A research laboratory at a university medical center.

SUBJECTS

Eleven sheep 17.1 +/- 1.8 kg in weight.

INTERVENTIONS

Lung injury was induced by intravenous administration of 0.07 mL/kg oleic acid followed by saline pulmonary lavage. When alveolar-arterial oxygen pressure difference (P[A-a]O2) was 600 mm Hg or more and PaO2 was 50 mm Hg or less with fraction of inspired oxygen of 1.0, bijugular venovenous extracorporeal life support (ECLS) was instituted. For the first 30 min on ECLS, all animals were ventilated with gas. Over the ensuing 2.5 h, ventilation with 15 mL/kg gas was continued without intervention in the control group (GV, n = 6) or with the addition of 35 mL/kg of perflubron (PLV, n = 5).

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

At 3 h after initiation of ECLS, Qps/Qt was significantly reduced in the PLV animals when compared with the GV animals (PLV = 41 +/- 13%; GV = 93 +/- 4%; p < 0.005). At the same time point, pulmonary compliance was increased in the PLV when compared with the GV group (PLV = 0.61 +/- 0.14 mL/cm H2O/kg; GV = 0.41 +/- 0.02 mL/cm H2O/kg; p < 0.005). The ECLS flow rate required to maintain the PaO2 in the 50 to 80 mm Hg range was substantially and significantly lower in the PLV group when compared with that of the GV group (PLV = 25 +/- 20 mL/kg/min; GV = 87 +/- 15 mL/kg/min; p < 0.001). Light microscopy performed on lung biopsy specimens demonstrated a marked reduction in lung injury in the liquid ventilated (LV) when compared with the GV animals.

CONCLUSION

In a model of severe respiratory failure, PLV improves pulmonary gas exchange and pulmonary function and is associated with a reduction in pulmonary pathology.

Liquid ventilation improves pulmonary function, gas exchange, and lung injury in a model of respiratory failure

OBJECTIVE

The authors evaluated gas exchange, pulmonary function, and lung histology during perfluorocarbon liquid ventilation (LV) when compared with gas ventilation (GV) in the setting of severe respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of LV in the setting of respiratory failure has been evaluated in premature animals with surfactant deficiency. However, very little work has been performed in evaluating the efficacy of LV in older animal models of the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

METHODS

A stable model of lung injury was induced in 12 young sheep weighing 16.4 +/- 3.0 kg using right atrial injection of 0.07 mL/kg of oleic acid followed by saline pulmonary lavage and bijugular venovenous extracorporeal life support (ECLS). For the first 30 minutes on ECLS, all animals were ventilated with gas. Animals were then ventilated with either 15 mL/kg gas (GV, n = 6) or perflubron ([PFC], LV, n = 6) over the ensuing 2.5 hours. Subsequently, ECLS was discontinued in five of the GV animals and five of the LV animals, and GV or LV continued for 1 hour or until death.

MAIN FINDINGS

Physiologic shunt (Qps/Qt) was significantly reduced in the LV animals when compared with the GV animals (LV = 31 +/- 10%; GV = 93 +/- 4%; p < 0.001) after 3 hours of ECLS. At the same time point, pulmonary compliance (CT) was significantly increased in the LV group when compared with the GV group (LV = 1.04 +/- 0.19 mL/cm H2O/kg; GV = 0.41 +/- 0.02 mL/cm H2O/kg; p < 0.001). In addition, the ECLS flow rate required to maintain the PaO2 in the 50- to 80-mm Hg range was substantially and significantly lower in the LV group when compared with that of the GV group (LV = 14 +/- 5 mL/kg/min; GV = 87 +/- 15 mL/kg/min; p < 0.001). All of the GV animals died after discontinuation of ECLS, whereas all the LV animals demonstrated effective gas exchange without extracorporeal support for 1 hour (p < 0.01). Lung biopsy light microscopy demonstrated a marked reduction in alveolar hemorrhage, lung fluid accumulation, and inflammatory infiltration in the LV group when compared with the GV animals.

CONCLUSION

In a model of severe respiratory failure, LV improves pulmonary gas exchange and compliance with an associated reduction in alveolar hemorrhage, edema, and inflammatory infiltrate.

Development and application of a simplified liquid ventilator

OBJECTIVE

Perfluorocarbon liquid ventilation has been shown to have advantages over conventional gas ventilation in premature newborn and lung-injured animals. To simplify the process of liquid ventilation, we adapted an extra-corporeal life-support circuit as a time-cycled, volume-limited liquid ventilator.

DESIGN

Laboratory study that involved sequential application of gas and liquid ventilation in normal cats and in lung-injured sheep.

SETTING

A research laboratory at a university medical center.

SUBJECTS

Eight normal cats weighing 2.7 to 3.8 kg (mean 3.1 +/- 0.5), and four lung-injured young sheep weighing 10.4 to 22.5 kg (mean 15.9 +/- 5.0).

INTERVENTIONS

Normal cats were supported with traditional gas ventilation for 1 hr (respiratory rate 20 breaths/min, peak inspiratory pressure 12 cm H2O, positive end-expiratory pressure 4 cm H2O, and FIO2 1.0). The lungs were then filled with perfluorocarbon (30 mL/kg) and tidal volume liquid ventilation was instituted, utilizing a newly developed liquid ventilation device. Liquid ventilatory settings were 4 secs for inspiration time, 8 secs for expiration time, 5 breaths/min for respiratory rate, and 15 to 20 mL/kg for tidal volume. Liquid ventilation utilizing this device was also applied to sheep after induction of severe lung injury by right atrial injection of 0.07 mL/kg of oleic acid, followed by saline pulmonary lavage. Extracorporeal life support was instituted to provide a stable model of lung injury. For the first 30 mins of extracorporeal support, all animals were ventilated with gas. Animals were then ventilated with 15 mL/kg of perfluorocarbon over the ensuing 2.5 hrs.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

In normal cats, mean PaO2 values after 1 hr of liquid or gas ventilation were 275 +/- 90 (SD) torr (36.7 +/- 10.4 kPa) in the liquid-ventilated animals and 332 +/- 78 torr (44.3 +/- 10.4 kPa) in the gas-ventilated animals (NS). Mean PaCO2 values were 40.5 +/- 5.7 torr (5.39 +/- 0.31 kPa) in the liquid-ventilated animals and 37.6 +/- 2.3 torr (5.01 +/- 0.31 kPa) in the gas-ventilated animals (NS). Mean arterial pH values were 7.35 +/- 0.07 in the liquid-ventilated animals and 7.34 +/- 0.04 in the gas-ventilated animals (NS). No significant changes in heart rate, mean arterial pressure, lung compliance, or right atrial venous oxygen saturation were observed during liquid ventilation when compared with gas ventilation. In the lung-injured sheep, an increase in physiologic shunt from 15 +/- 7% to 66 +/- 9% was observed with induction of lung injury during gas ventilation. Liquid ventilation resulted in a significant reduction in physiologic shunt to 31 +/- 10% (p < .001). In addition, the extracorporeal blood flow rate required to maintain the PaO2 in the 50 to 80 torr (6.7 to 10.7 kPa) range was substantially and significantly (p < .001) lower during liquid ventilation than during gas ventilation (liquid ventilation 15 +/- 5 vs. gas ventilation 87 +/- 15 mL/min/kg).

CONCLUSIONS

Liquid ventilation can be performed successfully utilizing this simple adaptation of an extracorporeal life-support circuit. This modification to an existing extracorporeal circuit may allow other centers to apply this new investigational method of ventilation in the laboratory or clinical setting.

Novel therapies for acute respiratory failure

Mortality in acute respiratory failure in the non-neonatal pediatric patient has not changed substantially in 20 years, despite advances and refinements in conventional therapeutic strategies and technology. A host of innovative therapies are currently in various stages of investigation, including high frequency ventilation, pressure control ventilation, permissive hypercapnia, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, exogenous surfactant administration, inhaled nitric oxide, and liquid ventilation. While none of these therapies has yet been prospectively studied in non-neonatal pediatric patients, all show much promise by virtue of their emphasis on either directly addressing pathophysiologic derangements associated with acute respiratory failure or by reducing the complications associated with conventional therapy.

Perfluorochemical liquid as a respiratory medium

The use of perfluorochemical (PFC) liquids to facilitate or support respiration has been under study for several decades. The low surface tension and high respiratory gas solubility of liquid PFC enable adequate oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal at low insufflation pressures relative to gas ventilation in the immature or injured lung. Because liquid ventilation homogeneously inflates the lung and improves V/Q matching it has been studied as a vehicle for delivering biologically active agents to the lung tissues and systemic circulation. More recently, we have shown the utility of highly opaque PFC liquids as a high resolution computed tomographic (HRCT) bronchographic contrast agent either during LV or gas breathing after tracheal instillation of small quantities of PFC. As a result of extensive experimental work in premature animals as well as lung injury models, liquid PFC ventilation has been recently implemented as an investigational therapy for severe respiratory distress in human infants. This manuscript summarizes the physiological principles and applications of LV as well as the results of initial investigational clinical studies in human neonates with severe respiratory distress.

Lung management with perfluorocarbon liquid ventilation improves pulmonary function and gas exchange during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)

We investigated whether pulmonary function and gas exchange would improve with liquid perfluorocarbon ventilation (LV) during ECMO for severe respiratory failure. Lung injury was induced in 11 young sheep 15.1 +/- 3.7 kg in weight utilizing right atrial injection of 0.07 cc/kg oleic acid followed by saline pulmonary lavage. When (A-a)DO2 > or = 600 mmHg and PaO2 < or = 50 mmHg with FiO2 = 1.0, ECMO was instituted. Animals were then ventilated with either standard ECMO "lung rest" gas ventilator settings (ECMO, n = 5) or with "total" liquid ventilation at standard ventilator device settings (LIQ-ECMO, n = 6) utilizing perflubron (perfluooctyl bromide, Liquivent; Alliance Pharmaceutical Corp.). After 3 hours on ECMO, pulmonary physiologic shunt decreased (ECMO = 88 +/- 11% vs LIQ-ECMO = 31 +/- 1%; p < .001) and pulmonary compliance increased (ECMO = 0.50 +/- 0.06 cc/cmH2O/kg vs. LIQ-ECMO = 1.04 +/- 0.19 cc/cmH2O/kg; p < .001). The ECMO flow rate required to maintain the PaO2 in the 50-80 mmHg range was decreased significantly (ECMO = 116 +/- 14 ml/kg/min vs. LIQ-ECMO = 14 +/- 5 ml/kg/min; p < .001). In this model requiring extracorporeal support for severe respiratory failure, lung management with liquid ventilation improves pulmonary function and gas exchange.

Long-term partial liquid ventilation (PLV) with perflubron in the near-term baboon neonate

PURPOSE

The feasibility and safety of continuous long-term (4-5 day) partial liquid ventilation (PLV) using perflubron was demonstrated in newborn baboons. PLV, a potential therapy for adult and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), is conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) with the lung filled to about functional residual capacity with perfluorochemical liquid.

PROTOCOL

As a pilot trial for a larger preclinical study focused on the safety of extended duration PLV, three near term baboons were studied. The animals were delivered by cesarean section, anesthetized, intubated and placed on CMV. The animals were given intratracheal perflubron (30 ml/kg) and maintained on PLV for 96 hours. The transition back to gas ventilation occurred, after draining, over the fifth day (hrs 96-120).

RESULTS

Two of the animals were born with normal pulmonary function, while the third developed respiratory distress prior to PLV. All the animals were adequately supported with PLV using moderate ventilator settings and low concentrations of oxygen. Perflubron distribution was enhanced by periodic rotation of the animals. Preliminary histology show vacuolated alveolar macrophages and no evidence of edema or other significant changes in the lungs. Pulmonary function in the RDS animal, after PLV treatment, showed normal gas exchange and lung mechanics.

CONCLUSIONS

Three near term baboons, one with clinical RDS, tolerated 4 days of PLV followed by 1 day of CMV without complications using practical clinical management methods.

Neonatal endotracheal tubes: variation in airway resistance with different perfluorochemical liquids

To evaluate the effect of the physical properties of density and viscosity on airway resistance, three perfluorochemical fluids (PFCs) were used: FC-75, Liquivent, and APF-140. Using two different endotracheal tubes (ETT) (3.0mm ID and 4.0mm internal diameter (ID)), the three fluids were studied at steady state flow conditions over a range that approximated peak flow required for liquid ventilation of neonatal lambs (0.005-0.02 l/sec). The slope of airway resistance (Raw)-flow curves and absolute values of Raw for the 3 PFC liquids were higher for the 3.0 ETT compared to the 4.0 ETT. The 3.0 ETT demonstrated resistance changes that were dependent on flow, density and viscosity. The 4.0 ETT showed a resistance-flow relationship that was relatively less dependent on flow, density and viscosity.

Utility of a perfluorochemical liquid for pulmonary diagnostic imaging

The use of neat perfluorochemical liquid (PFC) as an alternative respiratory medium has gained increasing attention for assessment and treatment of the immature or injured lung. In vitro and in vivo plain film and computed tomographic (CT) studies were performed on small and large animals to evaluate the use of perfluorooctylbromide (perflubron) as a bronchographic contrast agent and to quantitate the distribution and elimination of this fluid from the lung following total liquid ventilation or during gas breathing after tracheal instillation of small quantities of this liquid. The results demonstrate the utility of a highly radiopaque PFC liquid in combination with diagnostic imaging techniques to visualize small airways anatomy, identify regional and gravity dependent differences in distribution/elimination of the fluid, ventilation, and track PFC liquid following therapeutic application.