Arterial Blood Gas Changes in Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy During Mechanical Ventilation

Abstract

In the enthusiasm which has accompanied widespread use of the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope, it was not initially appreciated that arterial hypoxemia was a potential danger during routine diagnostic procedures. 1 King EG Expanding diagnostic and therapeutic horizons –fiberoptic bronchoscopy.. Chest. 1973; 63: 301 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (9) Google Scholar However, several recent reports have documented drops in oxygen tension (Pao2) in most patients during fiberoptic bronchoscopie examination. 2 Kleinholz EJ Fussell J McBrayer R Arterial blood gas studies during fiberoptic bronchoscopy.. Am Rev Resp Dis. 1973; 108: 1014 PubMed Google Scholar , 3 Karetzky MS Garvey JW Brandstetter RD Effect of fiberoptic bronchoscopy on arterial oxygen tension.. NY State J of Med. January 1974; (Part I): 62-63 PubMed Google Scholar , 4 Albertini R Harrel JH Moser KM Hypoxemia during fiberoptic bronchoscopy.. Chest. 1974; 65: 117-118 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (46) Google Scholar , 5 King EG Communication to the Editor.. Chest. 1974; 65: 117-118 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar Karetzky and associates 3 Karetzky MS Garvey JW Brandstetter RD Effect of fiberoptic bronchoscopy on arterial oxygen tension.. NY State J of Med. January 1974; (Part I): 62-63 PubMed Google Scholar found decreases in Pao2 from 2 to 21 mm Hg (average 12 mm Hg) during all of 14 consecutive diagnostic bronchoscopic examinations, while Albertini et al 4 Albertini R Harrel JH Moser KM Hypoxemia during fiberoptic bronchoscopy.. Chest. 1974; 65: 117-118 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (46) Google Scholar observed a drop of from 4 to 38 mm Hg (average 20 mm Hg) in each of 16 patients studied. While the mechanism for this hypoxemia has not been precisely defined, both loss of effective tidal volume through suctioning and bronchial lavage, 5 King EG Communication to the Editor.. Chest. 1974; 65: 117-118 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar and ventilation-perfusion imbalance initiated by mechanically-triggered reflex mechanisms, 3 Karetzky MS Garvey JW Brandstetter RD Effect of fiberoptic bronchoscopy on arterial oxygen tension.. NY State J of Med. January 1974; (Part I): 62-63 PubMed Google Scholar have been proposed.