Lung lavage using a single-lumen endotracheal tube

Abstract

The physiological response of the cardiopulmonary system of the dog during and after bronchopulmonary lavage via a single-lumen endotracheal tube was evaluated. The five Beagle dogs used in the study were prepared for lavage by anesthetization, vascular cannulation, intubation with a single-lumen endotracheal tube, and hyperventilation with 100 percent oxygen. Lavage was performed by placing a dog in lateral recumbency, slowly introducing saline to a volume approximating the total lung capacity of the dependent lung, and then draining the lung immediately by gravity. After brief ventilation the lavage sequence was repeated until five washes using a total of 2,000 ml were completed. The dog was then turned to the opposite side and the washing sequence repeated on the other lung. The heart rate slowed but pulmonary and systemic arterial mean pressures did not change. The PAo2 decreased from 317 to 107 mmHg during the procedure, but Paco2 did not increase and remained below 40 mmHg. Pulmonary function tests at 24 h after lavage revealed only a few mild changes in breathing pattern and gas exchange. At 168 h after lavage pulmonary function values did not differ significantly from prelavage values.