Use of liquid ventilation with perflubron during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: chest radiographic appearances.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To assess the effectiveness of performing liquid ventilation with perflubron in neonates with severe respiratory failure or pulmonary hypertension who receive extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) life support.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We studied an infant (aged 1 month) and a neonate with respiratory failure who underwent ECMO and liquid ventilation with perflubron, which was slowly instilled via an endotracheal tube (in the infant, 40 mL for more than 1 hour; in the neonate, 28 mL within 1 hour).

RESULTS:

The infant survived termination of ECMO support and has been breathing room air since 6 months of age. The neonate died soon after ECMO support was withdrawn.

CONCLUSION:

A minority of neonates or infants with severe respiratory failure or pulmonary hypertension do not respond adequately to treatment with ECMO and are almost certain to die with termination of ECMO support. Liquid ventilation with perflubron offers a potential salvage therapy in this patient population. In addition, perflubron is a good contrast agent to use in the evaluation of neonatal pulmonary abnormalities.

• Authors: G W Gross, J S Greenspan, W W Fox, S D Rubenstein, M R Wolfson, T H Shaffer
• Journal: Radiology (Radiology) Vol. 194 Issue 3 Pg. 717-20 (Mar 1995) ISSN: 0033-8419 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7862968 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase I, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Fluorocarbons
• Hydrocarbons, Brominated
• perflubron

Topics

• Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
• Fluorocarbons (administration & dosage)
• Humans
• Hydrocarbons, Brominated
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Intubation, Intratracheal
• Lung (diagnostic imaging)
• Male
• Persistent Fetal Circulation Syndrome (diagnostic imaging, therapy)
• Radiography
• Respiratory Insufficiency (diagnostic imaging, therapy)
• Salvage Therapy