Radionuclide assessment of extravascular lung water in minimal pulmonary oedema

Double isotope technique was used to measure extravascular lung water (EVLW) with 123I-antipyrine as a diffusible tracer and 113Indium chloride as a non-diffusible intravascular tracer which binds to transferrin in the blood stream. The purpose of the study was two-fold: to devise a simple non-invasive technique whereby EVLW is calculated from data acquired on a gamma camera on line computer system and to derive a simple index of EVLW; to use the technique in the assessment of patients with minimal pulmonary oedema and normal chest radiographs. The technique and analysis described were proved to be of practical value in evaluation of EVLW, and because of the short physical half-life of the isotopes, the radiation dose to the patient was small