Effect of transpleural perfusion with oxygenated perfluorocarbon in a rat model of acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in critical care, more effective methods of systemic oxygenation in patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome are needed. The goal of this study was to determine if it is possible to increase systemic oxygenation by transpleural perfusion with oxygenated perfluorocarbon in animals with induced acute lung injury.

METHODS

Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats were intubated, and acute lung injury was induced by aspiration of 0.1N HCl (1 mL/kg) through the tracheal tube. Inflow and outflow tubes were placed in the thoracic cavity and connected to a perfusion circuit containing a roller pump, warmer, and oxygenator. Rats in group I were not treated after aspiration of HCl, those in group II were perfused with oxygenated saline, and those in group III were perfused with oxygenated perfluorocarbon. Arterial blood gases were collected every 30 minutes for 180 minutes. At the last step of the experiments, pathological examination of the lungs and parietal pleura was performed.

RESULTS

PaO(2) in group III was significantly higher than that in group I or II. PaCO(2) in group III was significantly lower than that in the other two groups. Histological examination showed relatively well-delineated zones of inflammation-free coagulative necrosis of lung parenchyma in all groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Transpleural perfusion with oxygenated perfluorocarbon in an animal model of induced acute lung injury resulted in a significant increase in systemic oxygenation and depletion of systemic carbon dioxide, and might be a useful method for improving systemic oxygenation in patients with acute lung injury.