Partial Liquid Ventilation

The article I read was about Partial Liquid Ventilation of PLV. In this process a liquid which has a very high concentration of oxygen is dripped into a person’s lung while they are under mechanical ventilation. The most common liquid is perflubron, which is excellent at carrying both oxygen and Carbon dioxide. PLV increases gas exchange, and allows the mechanical ventilator to operate at lower tidal volumes and pressures. PLV also helps to reopen collapsed aveoli. The perflubron is dripped into the trachea through a endotracheal tube. Perflubron also helps to relieve inflamation and hemorrhaging. This process is still under clinical trials to decide the optimal amounts of fluid needed. Perflubron also helps to clear debris from the airways. Over all this is a very interesting concept which offers quite a bit of promise, but still needs to be perfected.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3689/is_200306/ai_n9283560