Accelerated Removal of Platelets during Perfusion of Isolated Lungs with Perfluoro Erythrocyte Substitute 1

Abstract

Summary

An emulsion of a fluorochemi-cal (FC-80), which has been shown to function as a substitute for the erythrocyte in the transport of O₂ and CO₂, has been found to cause lung damage when infused intravenously in intact animals. Addition of this emulsion to the fluid perfusing rat and guinea pig isolated lung preparations caused no significant changes in the pressures required for ventilation and perfusion of the lungs at constant flow rates, or in the weight of the lungs. Addition of this emulsion after prior addition of human blood platelets, caused a large increase in the rate of removal of platelets from the perfusion fluid. These results indicate that the fluorochemical emulsion does not have a direct deleterious effect on the lungs but that an interaction between fluorochemical particles, blood platelets, and the lung occurs, which might lead to lung damage.