Summary and recommendations of a workshop on the investigative use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage in asthmatics.

The participants in the workshop reached unanimous consensus that as an investigative tool, BAL has enormous potential for extending knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of asthma. When utilized according to these guidelines, maximal knowledge may be gained with minimal risks to study subjects. However, we wish to emphasize that the extent to which the safety of the procedure applies to those asthmatics with more symptoms and an FEV1 of less than 60% of predicted remains to be established by carefully controlled clinical investigations.