Open AccessUse of the Placenta as an Artificial Lung
Author(s) -
Shigeki Shibata,
Craig A. Reickert,
Robert H. Bartlett,
Ronald B. Hirschl
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
asaio journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.961
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1538-943X
pISSN - 1058-2916
DOI - 10.1097/00002480-200005000-00003
Subject(s) - placenta , cotyledon , perfusion , fetus , chemistry , pco2 , andrology , chromatography , medicine , pregnancy , anesthesia , biology , botany , genetics
Oxygen transfer across a single cotyledon of the human placenta was assessed by using three different perfusates in the maternal circuit: 1) M-199 culture medium, 2) human adult red blood cells (RBCs), and 3) perflubron. These maternal circuit perfusates were oxygenated with a membrane oxygenator. RBCs were perfused on the fetal side of the circuit and samples were taken preplacenta and postplacenta for each maternal perfusate. PO2 and PCO2 were measured and O2 transfer was calculated for each maternal perfusate. O2 transfer per single cotyledon (mean +/- SE) was 0.18 +/- 0.04, 0.20 +/- 0.03, and 0.15 +/- 0.05 ccO2/min when using: 1) M-199, 2) RBCs, and 3) perflubron, respectively. O2 transfer per kilogram of placental tissue was 13.08 +/- 2.78, 14.57 +/- 2.05, and 10.43 +/- 3.79 ccO2/kg per minute when using: 1) M-199, 2) RBCs, and 3) perflubron, respectively. When extrapolated to the individual weights of the entire placenta, the O2 transfer was 9.15 +/- 1.95, 10.20 +/- 1.43, and 7.30 +/- 2.65 when using: 1) M-199, 2) RBCs, and 3) perflubron, respectively. We conclude from these data that O2 transfer can be accomplished during placental perfusion. Larger studies are required to differentiate efficacy among the three maternal circuit perfusates.