A PILOT-STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF A PERFLUBRON EMULSION, AF-0104, ON MIXED VENOUS OXYGEN-TENSION IN ANESTHETIZED SURGICAL PATIENTS

A pilot study of a perfluorochemical (PFC) emulsion was undertaken to determine whether administration of a perflubron emulsion could result in measurable changes in mixed venous oxygen tension. Seven adult sur gical patients received a 0.9-g PFC/kg intravenous dose of perflubron emulsion after acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH). Hemodynamic and oxygen transport data were collected before and after ANH, immediately after PFC infusion, and at approximate 15-min intervals throughout th e surgical period. There were no clinically significant hemodynamic ch anges associated with the administration of the PFC emulsion. There wa s a significant increase in mixed venous oxygen tension (Pvo(2)) after the PFC infusion, while cardiac output and oxygen consumption were un changed. As surgery progressed, the hemoglobin concentration decreased with ongoing blood loss while Pvo, values remained at or above predos ing levels. Peak perflubron blood levels were 0.8 g/dL immediately pos tinfusion, and approximately 0.3 g/dL at 1 h. This pilot study demonst rates that administration of perflubron emulsion results in measurable changes in mixed venous oxygen tension during intraoperative ANH.