Acid aspiration frequently occurs in critically ill patients, and can give rise to severe acute lung injury. In this study, we investigated whether hyperpolarized xenon-129 dissolved-phase MRI provides the necessary sensitivity to assess acid aspiration and associated pneumonitis in a rabbit model. We observed changes that most likely corresponded to the formation of interstitial edema as part of an inflammatory response. In particular, perilesional areas of high xenon uptake may reflect tissue at risk of secondary ventilator-induced injury.
This abstract and the presentation materials are available to members only; a login is required.