Canine liver isolation-perfusion at normo- and hyperthermic temperatures with perfluorochemical emulsion (Fluosol-43)

A perfluorocarbon emulsion, Fluosol-43, was used as a blood substitute for oxygen transport during isolation-perfusion of the dog liver at 37 and 43 degrees C. Preservation of hepatic functional integrity was assessed through analysis of perfusate constituents and animal survival after perfusion. Flow to the liver during perfusion was greater than 1 ml/min/g with one-third of total flow provided through the hepatic artery and two-thirds through the protal vein. Perfusion duration was 3 h. The pO2 gradient across th liver indicated that oxygen was consumed during perfusion at both temperatures. The expected rise in pCO2 and decrease in pH of the outflow perfusate is consistent with active aerobic metabolism. Perfusate chemistries lactate, pyruvate, glucose, urea, total alpha-amino acids, ketone bodies and SGPT demonstrated that hepatic functional integrity was maintained during perfusion. Significant differences (p less than 0.05) between temperatures occurred in the perfusate levels of lactate, pyruvate, L/P ratios, glucose and total alpha-amino acids. Animal survival after a 3-hour perfusion was 3/4 at 37 degrees C, and 2/5 at 43 degrees C. After perfusion, SGPT levels were significantly higher in dogs subjected to perfusion at 43 degrees C. The success of these experiments demonstrates that perfusion of the liver with Fluosol-43 was not in itself hepatotoxic, and that Fluosol-43 may allow perfusion of the liver at 43 degrees C with only wild toxicity.