Gaseous exchange and acid-base balance in premature lambs during liquid ventilation since birth

Abstract

Nine distressed premature lambs were studied before, during, and after ventilation with fluorocarbon liquid (FC-80). It was found that premature lambs, delivered by cesarean section, could be adequately ventilated with oxygenated liquid for periods up to 3 hr. Using fluarocarbon liquid in conjunction with the described liquid breathing system, it was possible to maintain remarkably good pulmonary gas exchange and acid-base balance during normothermic conditions. In addition, peak intratracheal pressures measured during recovery from liquid ventilation were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) as compared with preliquid ventilation values. This improvement in lung function is in direct contrast to the deterioration in that of the adult animal following liquid ventilation as reported previously. Although an enormous amount of studies remain to be performed, at this time it is appealing to speculate about the possibilities of this therapeutic modality in the preterm human neonate with respiratory distress. We cannot help but think that this method of therapy serves a twofold purpose: (1) maintenance of infants with lungs too stiff to ventilate with gas, and (2) a treatment for reducing surface-active forces in infants with marginal lung stability. © 1976 International Pediatric Research Foundation, Inc.