Development of a Perfluorochemical Emulsion as a Blood Gas Carrier

Abstract

Over 10 years of research has led to the development of a perfluorochemical (PFC) emulsion that can be utilized clinically as a blood gas carrier. The physiochemical properties of this PFC emulsion and their biophysiological effects on animals meet the minimum requirements of an oxygen transport medium. As PFC is chemically and biochemically inert, its toxicity is extremely low. Acute toxicity was related chiefly to the particle size of the emulsion. PFC particles injected intravenously are phagocytized in the reticuloendothelial system as foreign bodies and are excreted from the lungs. The excretion rate was roughly proportional to the vapor pressure of each PFC. An emulsion consisting of 7 parts perfluorodecalin and 3 parts perfluorotripropylamine, 20% (wt/vol) PFC final, Fluosol-DA 20%, was selected as the best formulation in view of efficacy, stability, and excretion rate. No untoward reactions were observed after administration of this emulsion. More than 400 patients have received intravenous Fluosol-DA 20% in Japan.

The Efficacy of Partial Liquid Ventilation in Lung Protection During Hypotension and Cardiac Arrest: Preliminary Study of Lung Transplantation Using Non–heart–beating Donors

“…4 Several studies have proven that total and partial liquid ventilation effectively support pulmonary gas exchange and improve lung function in animals with acute respiratory failure. [11][12][13] However, Tütüncü et al 14 reported that perfluorocarbon decreased pulmonary gas exchange in healthy animals, suggesting that perfluorocarbon had an adverse effect on ventilation in healthy lungs.…”

“…Perfluorocarbon is inert, colorless, has high density (1.78 g/ml), has low surface tension (15 dyne/cm), and is immiscible with aqueous solutions. 4 The benefit of PLV is a significant decrease in the release of reactive oxygen species with potent stimuli 5 and decreased activation of neutrophils and their adhesion on endothelial cells. 6 The purpose of this study was to investigate the physiologic and pathologic influence of PLV on non-heartbeating rabbit lungs using a hypotensive and cardiac arrest model.…”

Fluorocarbons

“…The latter improves the stability of the FDC, which would otherwise form largcr emulsion particles which result in increased toxicity. 16 Okamoto et ~1 . '~ showed that FDC was almost completely excreted from mice after 6 wccks.…”

The Effect of Varying Percentages of Fluosol-Da Hemodilution on Antipyrine Metabolism in the Rat

“…PFC particles are captured by the reticuloendothelial system (RES) and distributed primarily to the liver and spleen, and secondarily to the kidney, bone marrow, and lungs [1]. Maximal hepatic accumulation of the particles occurs in 2 days after PFC administration.…”