Summary and recommendations of a workshop on the investigative use of fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage in asthmatic patients.

The participants in the workshop reached unanimous consensus that as an investigative tool, BAL has enormous potential for extending knowledge of the immunopathogenesis of asthma. When utilized according to these guidelines, maximum knowledge may be gained with minimal risks to study subjects. However, we wish to emphasize that the extent to which the safety of the procedure applies to those asthmatic subjects with more symptoms and an FEV1 of less than 60 percent of predicted remains to be established by carefully controlled clinical investigations.