Residual levels and biochemical changes after ventilation with perfluorinated liquid

Abstract

Twenty-three beagle dogs were ventilated with perfluorinated liquid, perfluoro-1-isopropoxy-hexane (Caroxin-F) for 1 h and were reconverted to gaseous breathing. Hematologic and biochemical changes were studied in five dogs for 1 yr and the remaining animals were followed for evidence of retained Caroxin-F for up to 3 yr. We found that the dogs could be ventilated with liquid Caroxin-F and returned to spontaneous breathing of gaseous oxygen with normal blood gas exchange within 24–72 h. Serum alkaline phosphatase, serum cholesterol, and white blood cell count increased with liquid ventilation but returned to normal in less than 1 wk. Trace amounts of Caroxin-F were detected by chromatography in all tissues studied for the entire 3-yr period. The highest levels of Caroxin-F were found in the lungs and associated lymph nodes. No histologic evidence of the presence of Caroxin-F was seen except for local accumulations of vacuolated macrophages in the lungs and associated lymph nodes. We conclude that Caroxin-F can be breathed without residual deleterious effects, even though trace amounts remained for at least 3 yr.