[High-frequency assisted air ventilation of the lungs during fiber bronchoscopy in cancer patients]

Bronchofibroscopy (BFS) in patients with respiratory failure caused by lung diseases and concomitant cardiovascular diseases involves deterioration of ventilation of the lungs. One of the most effective methods for preventing the complications is respiratory support by high-frequency assisted ventilation of the lungs (HFAVL). Oxygen is commonly used for this purpose, but its use can be limited by physiological and technological reasons. We compared HFAVL with oxygen and air during BFS in 97 cancer patients with restrictive and obstructive ventilation disorders and (in 70%) concomitant cardiovascular diseases. Monitoring of cardiorespiratory parameters and analysis of gaseous composition of the blood during BFS showed that like oxygen, air HFAVL prevented the deterioration of alveolar ventilation. On the other hand, blood oxygenation was not notably improved during air HFAVL in patients with pronounced hypoxemia, though subjectively BFS was better tolerated. Use of air extends the potentialities of HFAVL in the treatment of patients with respiratory failure in cases when oxygen in unavailable.