Lung water changes after thermal burns. An observational study.

Pulmonary extravascular water has been measured as lung thermal volume (LTV) in a group of nine burned patients. Transducer-detectable indicators were used to permit frequent repetition and quick results. Concurrent recordings were made of cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure and the usual hemodynamic variables. Moderate elevation of LTV was seen in all, reaching a maximum value before peripheral edema formation was complete. Left heart filling pressures were low as plasma albumin concentration. Clinical pulmonary edema occurred in one patient treated mostly with crystalloid solution. In several, a secondary peak coincided with edema mobilization.