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Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy does not alter airway responsiveness.
1Department of Lung Medicine, University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden.
Respiration; International Review of Thoracic Diseases
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) did not alter airway responsiveness in healthy volunteers. The study suggests that FFB-induced epithelial damage is insufficient to cause bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Respiratory Medicine
- Clinical Investigation
Background:
- Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FFB) may cause respiratory mucosal damage.
- Epithelial damage is hypothesized to contribute to bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of FFB on airway responsiveness.
- To determine if FFB-induced epithelial damage leads to bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
Main Methods:
- Histamine chloride challenge tests were conducted on 21 healthy volunteers before and after FFB.
- Additional tests were performed on asthmatic patients before and after atropine or lignocaine to control for medication effects.
Main Results:
- Flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy did not significantly alter airway responsiveness in healthy volunteers.
- Atropine and lignocaine showed no major influence on airway responsiveness.
Conclusions:
- Epithelial damage in central airways from FFB is not sufficient to induce bronchial hyperresponsiveness.
- FFB procedure does not appear to increase airway reactivity in healthy individuals.