Transabdominal oxygenation using perfluorocarbons

Purpose: Evaluation of the intraabdominal (intraperitoneal and intraluminal) administration of oxygen-saturated perfluorocarbon on both portal and arterial blood oxygenation. Methods: Eight male rabbits were divided into the test (n = 5) and control (n = 3) groups. Each underwent intrajejunal, intraperitoneal, and intravascular (artery, portal vein) catheter placements along with ligation of the duodenum and the terminal ileum under general anesthesia. The test group received oxygen-saturated perfluorotripropylamine (FTPA), and the control group received oxygen desaturated FTPA. The oxygen delivery was assessed by serial blood gas measurements before and after the administration of FTPA. Results: The administration of oxygen-saturated FTPA significantly increased the partial pressure of oxygen within both the arterial and the portal venous blood (PaO2, PpVO(2)) without significant changes in PCO2 Values. Oxygen desaturated FTPA failed to show any effects on blood gas values. Compared with oxygen desaturated FTPA, oxygen-saturated FTPA increased PaO2, PpVO(2), and oxygen saturation (artery, portal vein) significantly at some, but not all of the time-points measured. Conclusions: The intraabdominal administration of saturated FTPA improved both the portal venous and the arterial oxygenation. This new mode of oxygenation may be helpful as an adjunct to conventional oxygen delivery systems. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.