What is the typical number of MAA particles used for an adult dose?

For an adult dose of macroaggregated albumin (MAA) used in procedures like lung perfusion scans, the typical range is indeed 200,000 to 700,000 particles. This range has been established based on studies that aim to optimize diagnostic effectiveness while minimizing the risk of complications.

Theoretically, administering this number of MAA particles allows for effective perfusion imaging of the lungs while ensuring a sufficient number of particles are available to visualize the pulmonary vasculature adequately. Lower particle counts might not render sufficient imaging detail, which could lead to incomplete assessments of pulmonary blood flow. Conversely, exceeding this range may lead to unnecessary extra workload on the lungs and discomfort for the patient.

In clinical practice, the injected dose may also be influenced by factors such as the specific indications for the imaging and the patient’s condition, but the provided range of 200,000 to 700,000 particles reflects the standard practice guidelines.