Radionuclide demonstration of ventilatory abnormalities in mild asthma.

The distribution of 5 microns 99mTc aerosol particles deposited in the lungs was compared with that of 81mKr gas in 20 asthmatic subjects (FEV1.0 greater than or equal to 75% predicted) whose asthma was mild or in remission. Sixteen normal non-smokers and 14 'normal' cigarette smokers were studied as control subjects. Radioaerosol lung penetration in the 'normal' smokers was the same as in the normal non-smokers but was reduced in the asthmatic subjects. Radioaerosol penetrated better than 81mKr to the lung apices of normal non-smokers and asthmatic subjects; it penetrated better than 81mKr to the lung bases of the asthmatic subjects. Uneven distribution of aerosol relative to 81mKr related strongly to maximal mid-expiratory flow rate (MMFR) in the asthmatic subjects. Aerosol deposition abnormalities in symptom-free asthmatic subjects may reflect basal airways closure at functional residual capacity and abnormal patterns of lung filling.