An experimental model for evaluating extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support in acute respiratory failure

E. A. Lefrak, P. M. Stevens, M. B. Nicotra, J. Viroslav, G. P. Noon, M. E. DeBakey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

The endotracheal administration of gastric juice to anesthetized dogs ventilated with 40% oxygen resulted in a reliable form of hypoxemic normocapnic respiratory insufficiency. The principal functional change produced was profound hypoxemia secondary to a physiologic intrapulmonic shunt of greater than 50% of the total pulmonary blood flow. In spite of relatively normal arterial and mixed venous oxygen tensions during venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, there was progressive deterioration in cardiopulmonary function. Three types of membrane oxygenators were evaluated in this model of acute respiratory failure. The Travenol 1.5 m 2 membrane lung was found to deliver the greatest amount of oxygen in terms of membrane surface area. The 2 m 2 Peirce General Electric oxygenator had the highest oxygen transfer rate as a unit irrespective of area. This aspiration pneumonia model is proposed as a physiological representation of acute pulmonary insufficiency which should prove useful in further studies of the relative efficacy, potentialities and safety of various forms of respiratory assistance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)20-30
Number of pages11
JournalAmerican Surgeon
Volume39
Issue number1
StatePublished - Dec 1 1973

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery

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