REPEATED DOSES OF THE PERFLUOROCARBON FC-100 IMPROVE LUNG-FUNCTION OFPRETERM LAMBS

Intratracheal administration of a single dose of the perfluorocarbon F C-100 improves lung function in surfactant-deficient animals. In this study we compared the response to repeated doses of FC-100 (3 mL/kg 3% solution, n = 5) with that observed after administration of Exosurf ( 5 mL/kg, n = 5) to mechanically ventilated preterm lambs of 125 d of g estation. The initial dose of FC-100 rapidly increased arterial Po-2, decreased arterial Pco(2), and improved arterial pH. Also dynamic lung compliance markedly improved with this agent. Administration of an ad ditional dose of FC-100 resulted in relatively similar changes, albeit of lesser magnitude than those observed with the initial dose. In con trast, Exosurf did not improve these variables even after three doses. All lambs treated with FC-100 survived the 6-h study period, whereas one of the five Exosurf-treated lambs survived (p < 0.05). Mean arteri al blood pressure and heart rate decreased in those lambs that receive d FC-100, but not in surviving lambs that received Exosurf. Our data d emonstrate that repeated intratracheal administration of the perfluoro carbon FC-100 improves lung function and survival of surfactant defici ent lambs better than the synthetic surfactant Exosurf. We speculate t hat tensio-active agents with properties different from surfactant, su ch as FC-100, might improve lung function in preterm neonates with dis eases due to surfactant deficiency.