Radionuclide assessment of extravascular lung water in minimal pulmonary oedema

Extravascular lung water (EVLW) has been measured by a non-invasive technique using 123I-antipyrine and 113Indiumm-transferrin, as diffusible and non-diffusible indicators, and a gamma-camera computer system. Group A patients were normal radiologically and clinically. Group B patients were radiologically normal, clinically normal but were previously in heart failure and are currently on diuretics. Group C patients were radiologically normal, currently on diuretics with signs of pulmonary oedema. EVLW per unit blood flow and per unit blood volume were normal in groups A and B but raised in Group C patients. The peak height to equilibrium ratio of the 123I-antipyrine first pass curve was itself a useful discriminator in minimal pulmonary oedema.