Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 74, Issue 6 2782-2787, Copyright © 1993 by American Physiological Society
Effects of tube thoracostomy on pleural fluid characteristics in sheep
P. Carvalho, W. Kirk, J. Butler and N. B. Charan
Pulmonary Research Laboratory, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Boise, Idaho 83702.
We studied the pleural inflammatory response to tube thoracostomy by
inserting an Argyle 32-Fr tube in the pleural space of 10 anesthetized
sheep. An experimental pleural effusion was created by infusion of sterile
normal saline (10 ml/kg) into the pleural space, and the animals were
allowed to recover. Systemic blood and experimental pleural effusion (EPE)
samples were obtained at time 0, 30 min, hourly for 6 h, and at 6-h
intervals for a total of 48 h. EPE white cell count rose from 125 +/- 125
to 6,323 +/- 2,268/microliters (SE) at 6 h (P < 0.05) but showed marked
variability at 42 and 48 h (P < 0.05), with values ranging from 8,000 to
22,000/microliters. The systemic white cell count rose from 5,195 +/- 914
to 9,640 +/- 1,110/microliters (P < 0.01) within the first 12 h and then
remained stable. EPE protein increased from 0 +/- 0 to 3.73 +/- 0.2 g/dl at
48 h (P < 0.05). EPE lactate dehydrogenase rose from 44 +/- 12 IU/l to a
peak of 638 +/- 55 IU/l at 24 h (P < 0.05). EPE glucose was
significantly lower than serum glucose at 36, 42, and 48 h (P < 0.05).
These data indicate that chest tube placement rapidly induces significant
pleural inflammation and results in formation of a sterile exudate.
