A patient with an acute asthma attack refractory to inhaled and intravenous b2-agonist, aminophylline and corticosteroids was submitted to mechanical ventilation and treated with non-conventional therapies: bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage using N-acetylcysteine and halothane inhalation. The ventilatory parameters improved after lavage, however, bronchospasm resolution occurred only after anesthesia which was followed by extubation and discharge from the ICU. A review of the use of these non-conventional therapeutic modalities for the management of acute asthma attack is presented.