Cardiorespiratory effects of perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange at reduced oxygen concentrations

To determine whether reducing FIO2 during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange would cause deterioration of hemodynamics, lung mechanics, or gas exchange in normal piglets.

A prospective, controlled animal trial.

Experimental animal laboratory in a university setting.

Twelve normal, anesthetized piglets, 7 to 14 days old, and weighing 3.31 +/- 0.75 kg.

After the induction of anesthesia, tracheostomy and catheterization, piglets were stabilized. They were mechanically ventilated with a tidal volume of 15 mL/kg, inspiratory time of 25%, positive end-expiratory pressure of 4 cm H2O, and a respiratory rate of 20 to 28 breaths/min to obtain a baseline PaCO2 between 34 and 45 torr (4.7 and 6.0 kPa). Each animal was studied during continuous positive-pressure breathing, and during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange. They were ventilated at an FIO2 of 1.0 for 15 mins. FIO2 was randomly varied among 0.75, 0.5, and 0.3 every 15 mins, then returned to 1.0. At each FIO2, measurements of gas exchange, lung mechanics, and hemodynamics were made. After continuous positive-pressure breathing, perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange was instituted by replacing the gaseous functional residual capacity of the lungs with perfluorooctylbromide. Animals were then ventilated and measurements were taken.

At each FIO2, measurements of gas exchange (arterial blood gases and saturation), lung mechanics (mean airway pressure, static end-inspiratory pressure, and peak inspiratory pressure), and hemodynamics (heart rate, and mean arterial, right atrial, pulmonary artery occlusion, and pulmonary arterial pressures) were recorded. In six piglets, cardiac output was measured at each FIO2 by thermodilution. Cardiac index, indexed oxygen delivery and consumption, and indexed pulmonary vascular resistance were derived using standard formulas. Piglets were well saturated at all FIO2 settings during continuous positive-pressure breathing. However, during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange, arterial saturation decreased to 72% at an FIO2 of 0.3. Cardiac index and oxygen consumption were not affected by reducing FIO2 during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange, and were not significantly different than during continuous positive-pressure breathing. Oxygen delivery was reduced at an FIO2 of 0.3 during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange, but oxygen consumption remained in the flow independent portion of the curve despite arterial desaturation. Pulmonary arterial pressure was higher during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange than during continuous positive-pressure breathing. Pulmonary arterial pressure and indexed pulmonary vascular resistance were significantly higher during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange at an FIO2 of 0.3 than at any other FIO2 settings.

Piglets showed no adverse effects on lung mechanics during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange. Hemodynamics were well supported at all FIO2 settings, and arterial blood was fully oxygenated during perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange at an FIO2 of > or = 0.5.