EFFECTS OF BURNS ON INHALATION INJURY

Background: There are few studies of smoke injury combined with therma l burn. Methods: Seven sheep (G1) received smoke injury alone; eight ( G2) received a 40% full-thickness scald burn immediately after smoke i njury. All animals were resuscitated with lactated Ringer's solution a nd killed 48 hours after injury. Cardiopulmonary variables and blood g ases were measured serially, Ventilation perfusion distribution was an alyzed using the multiple inert gas elimination technique. Lung wet to dry weight ratio and malondialdehyde levels were determined. Results: G2 resulted in early significant hemodynamic changes. Serum total pro tein concentration was significantly lower and malondialdehyde signifi cantly higher in G2. However, Pao(2), lung wet to dry weight ratio, an d ventilation perfusion mismatching in G2 did not differ from those in G1. Conclusions: Although the addition of burn injury exaggerated the lung lipid peroxidation and hypoproteinemia in the presence of more p ronounced hemodynamic changes, the pulmonary dysfunction was not accen tuated.