Effects of intravenous perfluorocarbon and oxygen breathing on acute decompression sickness in the hamster.

Abstract

Anesthetized female hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) were divided into 3 experimental groups with 16 animals in each group. After control arterial blood pressure and ECG recordings, the animals were placed in a hyperbaric chamber for 30 min at 7 ATA and then decompressed directly to the surface at a rate of 60 fsw/min. After their removal from the chamber, animals were either not treated (group 1); given i.v. saline while breathing 100% oxygen (group 2), or given i.v. oxypherolperfluorochemical (Fluosol-43) perfusion emulsion while breathing 100% oxygen (group 3). Thirty minutes after decompression, all but one of group 1 had died (a 6% survival rate). Group 2 had a 62% survival rate and group 3 had a 94% survival rate. Perfluorochemicals were observed to reduce the number of bubbles formed, enhance bubble disappearance, and reduce dysrhythmias.