Usefulness of bronchoalveolar lavage and flow cytometry in patients with hematological malignancies and respiratory failure

Med Clin (Barc). 2017 Apr 7;148(7):297-302. doi: 10.1016/j.medcli.2016.10.045. Epub 2017 Jan 28.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Background and objectives: Strategies to improve the efficiency of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) are needed. We conducted a study to establish the diagnostic value of BAL in patients with hematological malignancies and pulmonary infiltrates.

Patients and methods: The correlation of cytologic and flow cytometric study of BAL with the microbiological findings and the clinical evolution was determined.

Results: Seventy BAL were performed and flow cytometric study was analyzed in 23 of them. Fifty-three patients did not present any adverse event attributable to BAL. Anti-infectious therapy was modified in 64 (91%) patients. T lymphocyte count >0.3×109/l in peripheral blood was associated with longer OS at 3 years (53 vs. 22%, p=.009). Higher CD4 (>20/μL) and CD8 (>35/μL) lymphocyte counts in the BAL were associated with a longer OS at 3 years: 82 vs. 21% (p=.030) and 80 vs. 23% (p=.059).

Conclusions: Our study confirms the clinical value of BAL for treatment decision making in patients with hematological malignancies and acute respiratory failure.

Keywords: Bronchoalveolar lavage; Citometría de flujo; Flow cytometry; Haematological malignancies; Hemopatías malignas; Insuficiencia respiratoria; Lavado broncoalveolar; Respiratory failure.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage*
  • Clinical Decision-Making
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry*
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / complications
  • Hematologic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Leukemic Infiltration*
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / etiology*
  • Respiratory Insufficiency / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Young Adult