Effects of perfluorocarbon emulsions on microvascular blood flow and oxygen transport in a model of severe arterial gas embolism

BackgroundArterial gas embolism (AGE) is a clinical problem that occurs directly in cardiopulmonary bypass machines in open-heart surgeries, or indirectly (through cardiac or pulmonary right to left shunts) in dive accidents, resulting in serious morbidity and even death. Perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsions have been used for the treatment of AGE in an animal model. We hypothesized that PFC emulsions enhance microvascular blood flow, speed bubble resolution, and oxygenation in AGE compared with saline in a model of cremaster muscle from anesthetized rats.Materials and methodsAGE was induced by direct air injection into the femoral artery ipsilateral to the studied cremaster muscle. Microhemodynamics, microvascular, and tissue oxygenation were determined before and after treatment with two different commercial PFC emulsions (C10F20, Oxycyte; Oxygen Biotherapeutics, Inc and C10F18, PHER-O2; Sanguine Corporation, Inc) compared with saline in real time using brightfield and phosphorescence microscopy.ResultsBlood pressure and heart rate remained unchanged. Systemic PO2, oxygen (O2) content, and glucose were higher in PFC groups, whereas hematocrit dropped in all groups. Arteriolar blood flow went up 85% and 80% of baseline after C10F20 and C10F18 treatments, respectively, versus 11% after saline treatment. Arteriolar and tissue PO2, and O2 delivery were higher in PFC groups compared with the control group. There was an increase in arteriolar blood flow, reduction in diffusional resistance of O2 in the plasma, and improved tissue oxygenation.ConclusionsAdministration of PFC emulsions in AGE is superior to saline primarily because of surfactant properties along with air bubble reabsorption.