Mechanical Ventilation plus Bronchoalveolar Lavage in Management of Severe Asthma

Objective To discuss the roles of mechanical ventilation associated with bronchoalveolar lavage when necessary in treating severe asthma.Methods Eighteen patients no obvious remission with severe asthma respiratory failure after routine treatment were created man-made airway to enforce mechanical ventilation,and performed bronchoalveolar lavage by fibrobronchoscope with saline to clear respiratory tract sputum in the patients with high airway pressure after 24 hours.Results After venting 24h,13 patients' air way resistance began falling off,and 5 patients' PIP was always above 55cmH2O.After treating BAL 2h,24h,PaO2 began to be high gradually,and PaCO2,PIP began to be lower.They had significant differences(P0.05).Twelve patients off-lined successfully,blood analysis results became normal.The levels of pH,PaO2 and PaCO2 were all significantly improved as compared with before intubation,and the difference was significant(P0.05).Conclusions Mechanical ventilation associated with bronchoalveolar lavage is effective measure to treat severe asthma.