Background: The authors tested the hypothesis that administration of vaporized perfluorohexane may attenuate ventilator-induced lung injury.
Methods: In isolated, perfused rabbit lungs, airway pressure-versus-time curves were recorded. At baseline, peak inspiratory pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure of mechanically ventilated lungs were set to obtain straight pressure-versus-time curves in both the lower and upper ranges, which are associated with less collapse and overdistension, respectively. After that, peak inspiratory pressure and positive end-expiratory pressure were set at 30 cm H2O and 0, respectively, and animals were randomly assigned to one of two groups: (1) simultaneous administration of 14% perfluorohexane vapor in room air (n = 7) and (2) control group-ventilation with room air (n = 7). After 20 min of cycling collapse and overdistension, tidal volume and positive end-expiratory pressure were set back to baseline levels, administration of perfluorohexane in the therapy group was stopped, and mechanical ventilation was continued for up to 60 min. Lung weight, mean pulmonary artery pressure, and concentration of thromboxane B2 in the perfusate were measured. In addition, the distribution of pulmonary perfusate flow was assessed by using fluorescent-labeled microspheres.
Results: Significantly higher peak inspiratory values developed in control lungs than in lungs treated with perfluorohexane. In addition, upper ranges of pressure-versus-time curves were closer to straight lines in the perfluorohexane group. Lung weight, mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and release of thromboxane B2 were significantly higher in controls than in perfluorohexane-treated lungs. Also, redistribution of pulmonary perfusate flow from caudal to cranial zones was less important in the treatment group.
Conclusion: The authors conclude that the administration of perfluorohexane vapor attenuates the development of ventilator-induced lung injury in isolated, perfused rabbit lungs.