Effect of routine fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage on arterial blood gases.

Effect of conventional fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) procedure (Group A, n = 10) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (Group B, n = 11) on arterial blood gases was studied in 21 patients. A significant fall in arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) with widening of alveolar arterial oxygen gradient D(A-a)O2 was observed during FOB (p < 0.001) and 30 minutes following the procedure (p < 0.001). Bronchoalveolar lavage was also associated with significant fall (p < 0.001) in PaO2 with increased D(A-a)O2 and this fall in PaO2 persisted for 30 minutes after the procedure (p < 0.01). None of the patients received oxygen during the procedures. None of the patients in either group developed bronchospasm. No change in arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO2) was observed in either group. Hypoxaemic encephalopathy developed in one patient in group A, hypotension and cyanosis developed in one patient each in group B. No mortality was encountered in the study. All the three patients with complications were excluded from final analysis. It was concluded from this study that both conventional bronchoscopy and BAL procedures were associated with significant hypoxaemia and supplemental oxygen should be given to all patients during the procedure and should be continued for at least 30 min. afterwards.