The safety profile of a protocolized transbronchial cryobiopsy program utilizing a 2.4 mm cryoprobe for interstitial lung disease

Abstract

IntroductionTransbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) has emerged as a promising alternative to surgical lung biopsy for the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease. However, uncertainty remains regarding its overall complications due to a lack of procedural standardization including the size of cryoprobe utilized. MethodsThis is a prospective cohort study of a protocolized transbronchial cryobiopsy program utilizing a 2.4 mm cryoprobe. 201 consecutive subjects were enrolled at a single academic center. ResultsThe average biopsy size was 106.2 ± 39.3 mm2. Complications included a total pneumothorax rate of 4.9% with 3.5% undergoing chest tube placement. Severe bleeding defined by the Nashville Working Group occurred in 0.5% of cases. There were no deaths at 30-days. DiscussionA protocolized transbronchial cryobiopsy program utilizing a 2.4 mm cryoprobe in can achieve a high diagnostic yield with a favorable safety profile.