title: Feasibility and safety of propofol sedation in flexible bronchoscopy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Propofol is a sedative-hypnotic with a rapid onset of action. There are only limited data evaluating propofol for flexible bronchoscopy. We analysed the feasibility and safety of propofol for bronchoscopy in a high output tertiary care centre.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective data on patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy at the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, were analysed. Patient demographics, ASA class, Mallampati class, indication for bronchoscopy, bronchoscopic procedures, duration of examination, medication requirements, minor and major adverse events, haemodynamic parameters, as well as cough scores during the procedure were documented. Patients were followed up to discharge from the bronchoscopy suite.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Data from 440 patients with a mean age 60 years (±15.5, 260 male) were analysed. The main indication for bronchoscopy was a suspicion of malignancy. The most common diagnostic procedures were bronchoalveolar lavage in 253 cases (31.5%) and bronchial washing in 174 cases (21.7%). The mean duration of the procedure was 19.6 min (±12.08). The mean propofol dose was 200 mg (±107.5) corresponding to 2.89 mg/kg (±1.70). Minor adverse events included oxygen desaturation in 72 (16.4%), hypotension in 68 (15.4%) and minor bleeding in 11 (2.5%) patients. No major adverse events were recorded. The median decline in systolic blood pressure after initiation of sedation was 14 mm Hg (3-28). A drop in systolic blood pressure greater than 20 mm Hg was observed in 166 of the 440 patients (37%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Propofol sedation for flexible bronchoscopy is feasible and safe.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine and Respiratory Cell Research, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. pgrendelmeier@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grendelmeier
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kurer
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pflimlin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tamm
authors.forename: Daiana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Stolz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010100:Oxygen; D015742:Propofol