Perfluorocarbons as gas transporters for O₂, NO, CO and volatile anesthetics

Abstract

SUMMARY Perfluorocarbons (PFCs) developed for the intravascular transport of oxygen have a higher solubility for gases compared to plasma and therefore can be used to transport and deliver a variety of bioactive gases for therapeutic purposes. Intravenous infusion of PFCs preequilibrated with carbon monoxide gas may provide a means to produce vasodilatation. A similar effect can be obtained by preloading PFC emulsions with nitric oxide (NO), as well as introducing unsaturated PFC emulsions in the circulation, since these can scavenge and redistribute NO. Volatile anesthetics delivered in conjunction with the intravenous presence of PFCs are more effective at lower dosages, and provide for a more uniform anesthetic effect in terms of duration of anesthesia. PFC emulsions are therefore proposed as vehicles for the transport and delivery of gases to the tissues, offering high accuracy of dosage, and avoiding uncertainties of gas delivery associated with gas inspiration via the lungs.