Comparison of double and single lumen catheters for removing inhaled 169Yb in dogs by bronchopulmonary lavage

This study was performed to compare the effectiveness of two methods of bronchopulmonary lavage for removing inhaled particles from the lung. Six dogs were exposed to aerosols of 169Yb-tagged 238PuO2 and underwent bilateral bronchopulmonary lavage on days 2 and 9 post-exposure. Initial lung burdens (ILB) of 169Yb ranged from 0.30 to 0.90 μCi. The dogs were divided into two groups: one was lavaged using a double lumen catheter and the other was lavaged by a new method using a single lumen catheter. The percentage of the 169Yb ILB removed was similar for both lavage techniques. Mean removal for the single lumen technique was 33 percent as compared to 38 percent for the double lumen technique. (U.S.)