Liquid Ventilation in Immature Newborn Rabbits

Abstract

Rabbit fetuses delivered 3 days before term were artificially ventilated with air, oxygen, or oxygenated liquid fluorocarbon for 1.5–3 h. Oxygenation, as revealed by skin colour and ECG was superior in liquid-ventilated animals. Also, liquid ventilation was less harmful to the bronchiolar epithelium and, in contrast to ventilation with gas or oxygen, did not cause the formation of hyaline membranes.