In:
Journal of Intensive Care Medicine, SAGE Publications, Vol. 11, No. 6 ( 1996-11), p. 313-325
Abstract:
Liquid Ventilation with perfluorochemicals (PFC) violates many of our long-held assumptions about how the lung functions. However, the technique has been so successful in animal models of lung disease that it is currently being tested in clinical trials for the treatment of infant and acute (“adult”) respiratory distress syndrome in newborns, children, and adults. A common feature of both infant and acute respiratory distress syndromes is an inability of the lung's surfactant system to adequately lower surface tension, leading to regions of atelectasis. Liquid ventilation with PFC appears to ameliorate the disease process by lowering interfacial tension in the lung, opening regions of atelectasis, and improving gas exchange. To understand how gas exchange is successful during liquid ventilation requires careful re-evaluation of the assumptions underlying our current models of gas exchange physiology during normal gas ventilation. These assumptions must then be examined in light of the alterations in pulmonary physiology during liquid ventilation.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0885-0666
,
1525-1489
DOI:
10.1177/088506669601100603
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
1996
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2001472-7
