In Vitro Depression of Tissue Oxygen Uptake by Liquid Fluorocarbon Prepared as Artificial Blood

The present studies show for the first time that, in vitro, fluorocarbon emulsions depress O₂ uptake of tissue. This depression can be overcome totally or in part by use of O₂ levels approaching 100% of the ambient atmosphere. Our studies also show that the diffusion coefficient for O₂ in fluo-rocarbons and in fluorocarbon emulsions is dependent upon the O₂ tension and falls as P_o2 falls. However, due to the high O₂ content of fluorocarbon, the O₂ flux in fluoro-carbons is higher than that in control solutions. Therefore, the fall in diffusion coefficient cannot account for depression of O₂ uptake in these studies. The cause of the depressed Q_o2 remains unknown, but toxic-ity of fluorocarbon should be considered. The data suggest that if fluorocarbon is to be an efficacious blood substitute, high levels of inspired O₂ will have to be maintained as long as high fluorocarbon levels exist in the circulatory system. Ms. Mary Allgood provided invaluable technical assistance. This study was supported by Grant Nos. HL 16643, HL 14251, and Virginia Lung Association Grants.