Residual levels and biochemical changes after ventilation with perfluorinated liquid.

Twenty-three beagle dogs were ventilated with perfluorinated liquid, perfluoro-1-isopropoxy-hexane (Caroxin-F) for 1 h and were reconverted to gaseous breathing. Hematologic and biochemical changes were studied in five dogs for 1 yr and the remaining animals were followed for evidence of retained Caroxin-F for up to 3 yr. We found that the dogs could be ventilated with liquid Caroxin-F and returned to spontaneous breathing of gaseous oxygen with normal blood gas exchange within 24-72 h. Serum alkaline phosphatase, serum cholesterol, and white blood cell count increased with liquid ventilation but returned to normal in less than 1 wk. Trace amounts of Caroxin-F were detected by chromatography in all tissues studied for the entire 3-yr period. The highest levels of Caroxin-F were found in the lungs and associated lymph nodes. No histologic evidence of the presence of Caroxin-F was seen except for local accumulations of vacuolated macrophages in the lungs and associated lymph nodes. We conclude that Caroxin-F can be breathed without residual deleterious effects, even though trace amounts remained for at least 3 yr.