[Effectiveness of bronchial lavage with a new double-lumen catheter]

The effectiveness of tracheobronchial lavage in the traditional manner with application of a rinsing solution into the endotracheal tube of artificially ventilated patients is unsatisfactory. In order to improve this a new double lumen catheter was developed. Beside the suction channel with a normal diameter is another very small channel, through which a rinsing solution or drugs can easily be applied endobronchially. The rinsing solution can be poured with high speed through this small channel into the peripheral bronchi. In comparison with the traditional method, endobronchial saline instillation and suctioning can be done more quickly during continuous artificial respiration. The tube was compared with a common suction catheter in 16 patients. These patients were intubated and given artificial respiration. Endobronchial rinsing and suctioning were done periodically. The suctioned bronchial secretion was measured and arterial blood gases were evaluated. Using the dual lumen probe, the suctioned volume was 3.8 times higher. In a short time the arterial oxygen pressure rose from 100% to 123%. An obvious improvement in ventilation could be seen even after 1 h. There was a positive correlation between the suctioned volume and the rise in oxygen pressure. Only suctioning of more than 3.7 ml was accompanied by a rise in the arterial oxygen pressure. Because of continuous artificial respiration, the arterial carbon dioxide pressure was kept constant. Therefore, there is a catheter available that makes it possible to perform a much more effective endobronchial lavage in a shorter period of time.