Survival of Mammals Breathing Organic Liquids Equilibrated with Oxygen at Atmospheric Pressure

TLDR

Certain silicone and fluorocarbon liquids are highly soluble for oxygen and carbon dioxide, enabling them to support mammalian respiration. The study aims to explore liquid‑based respiration to develop a safe, atmospheric‑pressure method for human breathing. Mice and cats breathing silicone oil die soon after returning to air, whereas fluorocarbon liquids support survival for weeks, with optimal respiration near 20 °C, excellent arterial oxygenation but impaired CO₂ elimination in cats, and pulmonary damage in all animals.

Abstract

Because oxygen and carbon dioxide are very soluble in certain silicone oils and fluorocarbon liquids, these liquids will support respiration of mammals. Mice and cats respiring silicone oil die shortly after return to air breathing, while those breathing fluorocarbon survive for weeks. The respiration of mice is optimally supported by these organic liquids at about 20°C. In cats, arterial oxygenation is excellent, but there is some impairment of carbon dioxide elimination. All animals have suffered some pulmonary damage from breathing fluorocarbon liquids. Continued investigation of organic fluid respiration may lead to development of a safe method to support the respiration of man by liquids equilibrated with gases at atmospheric pressure.