Resuscitation with Fluosol-DA 20%--tolerance to sepsis

Any compromise of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) or host defense in general would militate against the potential benefit of fluorocarbon emulsions as oxygen-carrying resuscitation fluids. The relationship between lethal hemorrhagic shock resuscitation with Fluosol-DA 20% and subsequent host depression was examined in a rat model. Host tolerance to a standard intra-abdominal polymicrobial septic challenge was assessed 5 days after hemorrhagic shock. Resuscitation with fluorocarbon was more effective than no resuscitation and is equal to Ringer's lactate. The addition of O2 did not enhance survival. In response to a septic challenge, survival of animals resuscitated with Ringer's lactate was similar to the control group, and fluorocarbon-treated animals had a significantly lower survival. It appears in this study that supplemental oxygen is not needed and that fluorocarbon emulsions act as a volume expander only. The enhanced mortality to a septic challenge may indicate a compromise in the host defense system induced by fluorocarbons, and clinical trials should proceed with caution accordingly.