Effective treatment of vascular gas embolism may be possible with emulsified fluorocarbon compounds. We tested the hypothesis that a fluorocarbon emulsion delivered prior to gas embolization would enhance bubble motion through the vasculature, favoring more rapid clearance. Air microbubbles were injected into the rat cremaster microcirculation in six groups of rats receiving Perftoran, an emulsified fluorocarbon, or saline immediately prior to, two hours prior to, or after bubble injection. Embolism dimensions and dynamics were observed using intravital microscopy. Surface area at lodging was equal between groups. Bubbles having smaller volume embolized smaller diameter vessels in the Perftoran pretreatment groups. A higher incidence of bubble dislodgement and larger distal displacement occurred in these two groups, with a 36% decrease in the time to bubble clearance and restoration of blood flow. Intravascular emulsified fluorocarbon administration prior to gas embolization affected initial bubble conformation, increased bubble dislodgement and resulted in bubble displacement further into the periphery of the microcirculation. These dynamic events did not occur if embolization preceded fluorocarbon administration.