Whole Lung Lavage in Autoimmune Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis: Unique Challenges in a Resource‐Limited Setting

Abstract

ABSTRACT Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is characterized by antibodies to granulocyte–macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF), alveolar macrophage dysfunction, and surfactant accumulation. Whole lung lavage (WLL) is the treatment of choice in patients with PAP and severe hypoxemia. In resource‐limited settings, WLL can be performed in the intubated, anesthetized patient who is being one lung ventilated using a Y‐type bladder irrigation catheter for saline instillation and drainage.

Keywords

• autoimmune PAP
• bronchoalveolar lavage
• pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
• whole lung lavage