Platelet and White Cell Reactivity to Top-Load Intravenous Perfluorocarbon Infusion in Healthy Sheep.

Abstract Background Perfluorocarbon emulsions (PFCs) are intravenous artificial oxygen carriers with enhanced gas solubility. As lipid micelle nanoparticle emulsions, PFCs may have a class effect that causes degrees of thrombocytopenia. Understanding the extent of the platelet effects, including mechanism and potential inflammation after PFC infusion, is important for safe human trials. Methods Normal sheep (Dorper) were infused with 5 mL/kg of Oxygent (w/v 60% PFC) or Perftoran (w/v 20% PFC). Controls received 6% Hetastarch or were naive. Blood samples were analyzed from baseline, time 0 (the end of infusion), 3 and 24 hours, and 4 and 7 days. Platelet count, plateletcrit, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, and CD-62p (a platelet activation-dependent membrane protein) were measured. Neutrophils, monocytes, and total white blood cell counts were analyzed. Results In these inflammatory cell lines, there were no consistent changes or cellular activation after PFC infusion. A decrease ( Conclusion There was no evidence of overall reduction in platelet number, or any correlation with the change in platelet activation or inhibition. Therefore, the risk of increased thrombosis/bleeding after PFC intravenous infusion is low in this non-trauma sheep model.