Inhaled 45-50% argon augments hypothermic brain protection in a piglet model of perinatal asphyxia

Cooling to 33.5 °C in babies with neonatal encephalopathy significantly reduces death and disability, however additional therapies are needed to maximize brain protection. Following hypoxia–ischemia we assessed whether inhaled 45–50% Argon from 2–26 h augmented hypothermia neuroprotection in a neonatal piglet model, using MRS and aEEG, which predict outcome in babies with neonatal encephalopathy, and immunohistochemistry. Following cerebral hypoxia–ischemia, 20 Newborn male Large White piglets
Graphical abstract
Highlights • 45–50% Argon augments brain protection above hypothermia after neonatal hypoxia–ischemia. • No physiological or biochemical change occurred with the 24 h exposure of 45–50% Argon. • 45–50% Argon led to faster recovery of aEEG, and improved cerebral metabolism on MRS. • TUNEL + cells were ~ 24 points lower per mm2 with Argon augmented cooling v cooling. • Argon was practical to administer with a standard neonatal ventilator (unlike xenon).