Intravenous Perfluorocarbon After Onset of Decompression Sickness Decreases Mortality in 20-kg Swine

Abstract

Decompression sickness (DCS) occurs when bubbles form due to pressure decreases with severity ranging from trivial to fatal. Standard treatment requires a hyperbaric chamber, not likely to be available at remote sites or during a disabled submarine escape or rescue. Alternative (non-recompressive) treatments are needed. Intravenous administration of emulsified perfluorocarbons (PFCs) enhances oxygen delivery to, and inert gas removal from, tissues. Swine studies show PFCs administered with supplemental oxygen before symptom onset can decrease DCS incidence. We used a swine model to test whether PFC plus supplemental oxygen could improve outcome when infused after DCS symptom onset.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA552079

Entities

People

  • Charles R. Auker
  • Madison C. Wilson
  • Richard T. Mahon
  • Tomas T. Watanabe

Organizations

  • Naval Medical Research Center

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Animals
  • Aqueous Solutions
  • Barometric Pressure
  • Barotrauma
  • Biomedical Research
  • Blood
  • Blood Plasma
  • Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena
  • Chambers
  • Decompression
  • Decompression Sickness
  • Emulsions
  • Hyperbaric Chambers
  • Laboratory Animals
  • Oxygenation
  • Spinal Cord
  • Therapy

Readers

  • Cardiovascular Physiology
  • Pavement Materials Engineering.
  • Underwater engineering and Marine Technology.