Effect of Flow Rate of Lavage Fluid on the Removal of Radioactive Particles from the Lung by Bronchopulmonary Lavage

Abstract

The effect of fluid flow rate during bronchopulmonary lavage to remove radioactive particles from the lungs of beagle dogs was investigated. Six adult beagle dogs were exposed by inhalation to aerosols of lUCe in fused clay particles. Four of the dogs were treated with bronchopulmonary lavage of both right and left lungs on day 2 post-exposure. The remaining two dogs were not lavaged and were used to determine the distribution of the inhaled aerosol between the right and left lung. The lavage fluid was introduced into the lung at two flow rates; 0.67 l/min and 1.7 l/min. Lavage of the right lung at the fast rate in two dogs removed 24 and 27% of the right initial lung burden (ILB); lavages of the right lung at the slow rate in the other two dogs removed 35 and 36% of the right IBL. Bronchopulmonary lavage of the left lung of all four dogs, two at the fast rate and two at the slow rate, removed 26,49,23 and 30% of the left ILB, respectively. Total amount removed from both lungs was 2440% of the ILB of lMCe. The order in which the lungs were lavaged did not influence the amount of radiocerium removed. The bilateral procedure did not alter the distribution of material between right and left lung.