PARTIAL LIQUID VENTILATION WITH SMALL VOLUMES OF FC-3280 INCREASES SURVIVAL-TIME IN EXPERIMENTAL ARDS

The aim of this study was to determine the prolonged effects of sequen tial doses of a highly purified perfluorocarbon (FC 3280) on gas excha nge and survival time in experimental acute respiratory distress syndr ome (ARDS). The study was prospective, randomized and controlled, Twel ve pigs (body weight 30+/-5 (mean+/-SD) kg) were surfactant-depleted b y repetitive lung lavages, reducing arterial oxygen tension (Pa,O-2) t o 6.9+/-1.6 kPa (52+/-12 mmHg) (mean+/-SD) at an inspired oxygen fract ion (FI,O-2) of 1.0. They were then randomized to receive partial liqu id ventilation by sequential intratracheal application of 7.5 mL.kg(-1 ) FC 3280 at 30 min intervals to a cumulative dose of 15 mL.kg(-1) (tr eatment group), or to receive no further treatment (control group), Ha emodynamics and gas exchange were assessed at 30 min intervals after i nstillation, and hourly afterwards in both groups until death. In the treatment group, Pa,O-2 was 8.9+/-4.4 kPa (67+/-33 mmHg) after 7.5 mL. kg(-1) FC 3280 and 14.1+/-9.9 kPa (106+/-74 mmHg) after 15 mL.kg(-1); FC 3280 (NS). In the FC 3280 control group, gas exchange remained unch anged, Haemodynamics were stable in the treatment group and deteriorat ed in the control group, Peak airway pressures and dynamic compliance were not significantly affected In the treatment group, Mean survival time was 8.2+/-4.5 h in the treatment group and 1.8+/-1.4 h in the con trol group (p<0.05). Upon histological examination, both study groups were not significantly different in total lung injury scores. We concl ude that partial liquid ventilation with small volumes of FC 3280 prov ides improvement in gas exchange and increases survival time in experi mental acute respiratory distress syndrome.