Damages caused by a high concentration of oxygen during long term extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA)

• Published in: Jinko Zoki Vol. 15; no. 4; pp. 1760 - 1764
• Main Authors: YAMASHIRO, K., TSUNO, K., SAITO, Y., TERASAKI, H., NOGAMI, T., MORIOKA, T., TAKESHITA, J., HIGASHI, K., OTSU, T., EZAKI, K., HASHIGUCHI, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Japanese
• Published: JAPANESE SOCIETY FOR ARTIFICIAL ORGANS 1986; 一般社団法人 日本人工臓器学会
• Subjects: ECLA; ECMO; Extracorporeal circulation; Oxygen toxicity; Tissue injury
• ISSN: 0300-0818; 1883-6097
• DOI: 10.11392/jsao1972.15.1760

Some ill effects were suspected after the use of a high concentration of oxygen in the artificial lung during long term extracorporeal lung assist (ECLA, a new acronym coincides with ECMO: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). Six out of nine goats were subjected to ECLA with 100% oxygen and the other 3 goats with 30% oxygen. The survival rate, length of extracorporeal circulation, general conditions and platelet counts were studied. In the 100% oxygen group, 5 out of 6 goats died on the 6th day of ECLA and only one goat survived after 7 days of ECLA. The platelet counts usually remained at a low level (below 50%) compared to the pre-level of ECLA. In the 30% oxygen group, all three goats survived after 18, 23 and 38 days of ECLA, and their general conditions were well maintained. The platelet counts in this group initially dropped, but returned to 50% or more of the pre-level of ECLA from the 3rd day on. Small bubbles, which might be caused by supersaturation mechanisms, were found in the blood phase of the artificial lung during the use of 100% oxygen. A high concentration of oxygen in the artificial lung caused microbubbles, and could lead to platelet reduction as well as organ damage through oxygen toxicity. These results suggest the necessity of using a low concentration of oxygen in the artificial lung as far as possible.