Does perfluorocarbon deoxygenate during partial liquid ventilation?

Perfluorocarbons accumulate in the dependent regions of the lungs, which ma y result in regional hypoxia if ventilation with oxygen is insufficient to oxygenate the dependent perfluorocarbon-filled alveoli. In this issue of Cr itical Care, Max et al present data that demonstrate a decrease in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) at 30 min compared to that observed at 5 min after a dministration of FC 3280. These data suggest failure of on-going ventilatio n/oxygenation to support the initial increase in PaO2 attributed to the oxy gen dissolved in the administered perfluorocarbon. Studies such as this one demonstrate that development of the optimal partial liquid ventilation (PL V) technique is ongoing.