Massive transfusion of perfluorocarbon emulsion (Fluosol-DA) in newborn piglets

To study massive perfluorocarbon transfusion in neonatal animals, 30 piglets (less than 24 h old) were randomly assigned to 3 groups: Fluosol-DA-treated (50 ml/kg), albumin-treated (50 ml/kg), and non-treated controls. Pre- and post-transfusion measurements included blood chemistries and complete blood count (CBC). Post-transfusion histological analysis of tissues was also performed. There was no mortality or respiratory distress in the piglets that received Fluosol transfusion. Fluosol-treated piglets had significantly lower (p less than 0.05) post-transfusion serum calcium and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase values than the controls. The Fluosol group also had significantly higher chloride and glucose, but lower calcium and bilirubin levels than the albumin group. However, in no cases were the differences of clinical significance. There were no differences between the experimental groups' pre- and post-transfusion CBC values. Microscopic examination of lung, heart, and spleen samples revealed only the presence of splenic vacuoles which we attributed to perfluorocarbon accumulation.