Abstract
In search of the most effective surfactant to use for surfactant replacement therapy, we compared an artificial porcine derived (APS) and neutral sheep surfactant preparation (NSS) with respect to in vitro characteristics and in vivo early effects. In 6 animals APS and 6 others NSS was administered endotracheally. Results: APS had the lowest in vitro minimal surface tension, 7 vs. 21 mN/m (Wilhelmy balance) and nearly zero vs. 22 mN/m (oscillating bublle) and a larger hysteresis compared to NSS. Within 1 min. following endotracheal surfactant instillation, however, PaO2 increased to significantly higher levels in the NSS group animals: 48.9 ± 16.2 vs. 25.1 ± 12.0 kPa (mean±SD, p<0.05). Similarly, static lung compliance was significantly higher in the NSS group: 1.04 ± 0.33 vs. 0.06±0.10 ml/cmH2O/kg body weight (p<0.05). We conclude that early in vivo effects of surfactant preparations do not seem to relate to in vitro properties.
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