Arterial blood levels of fluorocarbons in asthmatic patients following use of pressurized aerosols

The levels of fluorocarbon-11 and fluorocarbon-12 (F-11, CCl3F; F-12, CCl2F2) have been measured in arterial blood of 8 asthmatics after using an aerosol inhaler. Following two puffs with a 30 second interval, peak arterial plasma levels ranged from 0.53 to 3.1 µg per milliliter (F-11) and 0.2 to 3.13 µg per milliliter (F-12); folloWing a single puff peak levels were 0.26 to 2.0 J.lg per milliliter (F-11) and 0 to 2.3 J.lg per milliliter (F-12). The peak level was achieved 10 to 20 seconds after the inhalation, followed by a rapid fall in arterial level. The measured levels have been compared with predicted values using a computer model. This model has been used to predict the myocardial concentration in man from the measured arterial levels. Except with grossly excessive use of an aerosol inhaler in a short period of time, the predicted myocardial concentrations of fluorocarbon in man are much less than the levels shown to sensitize the heart of conscious normal dogs to epinephrine.