Oxygen desaturation induced by bronchoalveolar lavage.

Our study demonstrates that bronchoalveolar lavage can induce significant desaturation in patients with a resting PaO2 of below 70 torr, and that supplemental oxygen at 5 L/min through a nasal cannula may not prevent a marked drop in the oxygen saturation during this procedure. Therefore, measures to provide higher FiO2 should be offered to assure adequate oxygenation in severely ill patients requiring bronchoalveolar lavage.

Use of bronchoalveolar lavage to diagnose pulmonary infiltrates in immunocompromised hosts.

Bronchoalveolar lavage is a simple and safe technique that aids in making the diagnosis of pulmonary infiltrates in immunosuppressed patients. The procedure can be done even in thrombocytopenic patients and those requiring ventilatory support.