[Oxygenating intra-alveolar lavage (OAL) with the use of some new fluorinated compounds]

Certain fluorinated carbonate compounds can carry O2 and CO2 in a physiological manner. This faculty was exploited in the elaboration of an experimental intra-alveolar oxygenating washing protocol employing such compounds as intrapulmonary oxygenating liquids conveyed by transtracheal flooding of the alveoli in 20 rabbits. AP, PaP, CVP and EP were monitored in accordance with a 35' protocol, during which the positive oxygenation and negative emptying phases of the washing process were repeated at an average 2 cycles/min. A respiratory exchange capable of keeping all the animals alive until the recommencement of spontaneous ventilation was noted, along with only slight changes in lung structure. Once an in-depth study is made of certain fundamental phenomena related to structure and lung function, it is felt that this washing method can be used clinically for the treatment of hypoxaemic situations in which normal alveocapillary exchange is impeded by extraneous material, as in desquamative interstitial pneumonia, pulmonary alveolar proteinosis, etc.