Partial liquid breathing with perflubron improves arterial oxygenation in acute canine lung injury

Tidal liquid breathing with perfluorocarbon liquid improves lung mechanics and gas exchange in surfactant-deficient lambs. We asked whether an intratracheal dose of perflubron equal to liquid functional residual capacity (FRC) or less (partial liquid breathing) would alter gas exchange in gas-ventilated, anesthetized, and oleic acid (OA)-injured dogs. We gave eight dogs perflubron in six aliquots, each equal to one-sixth of liquid FRC [sequential dose (SEQ) group], starting 90 min after OA. Two other groups of eight dogs each received a liquid FRC dose of perflubron (60-70 ml/kg) either just before (P-Pre) or 90 min after (P-Post) OA, and eight control (CON) dogs received OA but no perflubron. In CON, SEQ, and P-Post dogs, OA caused a significant decrease in static respiratory system compliance (Crs) (1.50 +/- 0.05 to 1.15 +/- 0.06 ml.cmH2O-1.kg-1) and arterial PO2 (508 +/- 10 to 113 +/- 16 Torr) by minute 90. In P-Pre, P-Post, and after the third dose of perflubron (50% FRC) in SEQ dogs, arterial PO2 was significantly higher than that in the CON dogs but was similar to that in the CON dogs after perflubron removal. Perflubron doses less than two-thirds of liquid FRC were associated with increased Crs compared with CON dogs, but further lung filling caused a decrease in Crs. Lung histology showed widespread edema and hemorrhage and was similar in perflubron and CON dogs. O2 delivery and uptake were well maintained in all four groups.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)