Analysis of wheezing in patients with partially controlled bronchial asthma during intrabronchial auscultation

One of the key diagnostic criteria for bronchial asthma is wheezing. In the report of the working group GINA, it is stated that wheezing refers to the key symptoms of bronchial asthma. According to their data, among persons 20-44 years of age, asthma attacks occur on average in 3.1%, and wheezing in 27.1%. Development of the method of intrabronchial study of pulmonary sounds to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment of respiratory diseases. Methods. During the traditional bronchoscopy (Karl Storz Tele Pack X), a video recording with a bronchoscope with simultaneous intrabronchial recording of sounds is performed by a specially designed microphone. At the same time, pulmonary sounds are recorded by an electronic stethoscope (3M Littmann Electronic Stethoscope 3200) for further analysis and comparison of data. Results. A record was made in 30 patients with partially controlled bronchial asthma (GINA 2017). Respiratory noises were evaluated in the following ways: visual spectrum estimation, Fourier spectral analysis and some RMS indices. Results of computer analysis of wheezing: minimal RMS value [-37.05; -23.79] dB, the maximum RMS value [-26.99; -4.28] dB, the total RMS value [-28.99; -16.16]. The duration of wheezing is 300-1500 ms, the frequency range is 93-937 Hz. Clear distinctions of wheezing from other noise of a phonogram are revealed. Conclusions. Intrabronchial auscultation allows objectively identifying wheezing in adult patients with partially controlled bronchial asthma. This expands the patient9s breathing noise assessment capabilities and, ultimately, allows for adjustment of the therapy.