In vivo microvascular mosaics show air embolism reduction after perfluorocarbon emulsion treatment

► A new technique for in vivo on-line automatic digital photomicrographs is described. ► The technique produced mosaics of tissue areas over 100 mm2 to evaluate air embolism. ► Muscle arteriolar embolism was reduced by 80% after perfluorocarbon (PFC) treatment. ► Bubbles also dissolved into a larger number of smaller bubbles after PFC treatment. ► PFC emulsion may increase bubble reabsorption and improve microvascular obstruction.