The Emulsified PFC Oxycyte^® Improved Oxygen Content and Lung Injury Score in a Swine Model of Oleic Acid Lung Injury (OALI)

Purpose: Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) can transport 50 times more oxygen than human plasma. Their properties may be advantageous in preservation of tissue viability in oxygen-deprived states, such as in acute lung injury. We hypothesized that an intravenous dose of the PFC emulsion Oxycyte^® would improve tissue oxygenation and thereby mitigate the effects of acute lung injury. Methods: Intravenous oleic acid (OA) was used to induce lung injury in anesthetized and instrumented Yorkshire swine assigned to three experimental groups: (1) PFC post-OA received Oxycyte^® (5 ml/kg) 45 min after oleic acid-induced lung injury (OALI); (2) PFC pre-OA received Oxycyte^® 45 min before OALI; and (3) Controls which received equivalent dose of normal saline. Animals were observed for 3 h after OALI began, and then euthanized. Results: The median survival times for PFC post-OA, PFC pre-OA, and control were 240, 87.5, and 240 min, respectively (p = 0.001). Mean arterial pressure and mean pulmonary arterial pressure were both higher in the PFC post-OA (p < 0.001 for both parameters). Oxygen content was significantly different between PFC post-OA and the control (p = 0.001). Histopathological grading of lung injury indicated that edema and congestion was significantly less severe in the PFC post-OA compared to control (p = 0.001). Conclusion: The intravenous PFC Oxycyte^® improves blood oxygen content and lung histology when used as a treatment after OALI, while Oxycyte^® used prior to OALI was associated with increased mortality. Further exploration in other injury models is indicated.