title: Bronchoscopy for pulmonary hygiene in the intensive care unit.
abstract: The safety and ease of fiberoptic bronchoscopy recommends its use in the intensive care unit. In critically ill patients, the procedure may be a valuable diagnostic or therapeutic tool. In most instances, the diagnostic indications are well defined. The therapeutic indications for bronchoscopy, however, are more controversial. They center around using the bronchoscope for removal of secretions, mucus plugs and reversing atelectasis in mechanically ventilated patients. This report examines the small but definite risk of therapeutic bronchoscopy in mechanically ventilated patients.
authors.affiliation: Division of Respiratory and Environmental Medicine, University of Louisville, School of Medicine, KY.
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Overstreet
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Fields
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001999:Bronchoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003422:Critical Care; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D002532:Intracranial Aneurysm / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000209:etiology; D001261:Pulmonary Atelectasis / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors