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Endoscopic laser flowmetry: a valid method for detection and quantitative analysis of inhalation injury
H M Loick1, L D Traber, C Hurst
1Department of Anesthesiology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston.
The Journal of Burn Care & Rehabilitation
|July 1, 1991
Summary
Laser-doppler flowmetry offers a new quantitative method to diagnose early inhalation injury. This technique measures increased blood flow in the airways, correlating with carboxyhemoglobin levels.
Area of Science:
- Medical Devices
- Respiratory Medicine
- Physiology
Background:
- Hyperemia is a key indicator of inhalation injury but lacks quantitative measurement.
- Current methods for assessing inhalation injury are often qualitative.
- Early and accurate diagnosis of inhalation injury is crucial for patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a quantitative technique for diagnosing inhalation injury.
- To analyze the extent of damaged areas in the tracheobronchial region.
- To assess the utility of laser-doppler flowmetry in early inhalation injury detection.
Main Methods:
- Utilized chronically instrumented sheep (N=10) for the study.
- Employed an endoscopic laser-doppler flowmeter probe to measure bronchial blood flow.
- Exposed the right lung to smoke in seven animals, with three serving as sham-smoked controls.
Main Results:
- Inhalation injury significantly increased bronchial blood flow from 35.1 ± 2.6 to 51.7 ± 2.1 ml/min/100 gm tissue.
- Increased blood flow in smoked lungs correlated with elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels (r=0.87).
- Sham-smoked animals showed no significant changes in bronchial blood flow.
Conclusions:
- Laser-doppler flowmetry provides a valid technique for early diagnosis of inhalation injury.
- The method allows for quantitative analysis of injured areas in the tracheobronchial region.
- This approach offers a significant advancement over qualitative assessments of inhalation injury.