A systematic review of the safety of sedation during flexible bronchoscopy

Introduction: Sedation during flexible bronchoscopy can be administered by a second physician, an anesthesiologist or as nurse-administered sedation (NAS). Propofol is often administered by non-anesthesiologists. It is unclear whether complications differ with various sedation protocols. Methods: We...

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Main Authors: Matthes, Sandhya (Author) , Treml, Marcel (Author) , Hübner, Ralf-Harto (Author) , Hetzel, Jürgen (Author) , Eberhardt, Ralf (Author) , Franke, Karl-Josef (Author) , Herth, Felix (Author) , Holland, Angélique (Author) , Loop, Torsten (Author) , Sitter, Helmut (Author) , Randerath, Winfried J. (Author) , Hagmeyer, Lars (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: 2025
In: Respiration
Year: 2025, Pages: ?
ISSN:1423-0356
DOI:10.1159/000548435
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1159/000548435
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Author Notes:Sandhya Matthes, Marcel Treml, Ralf-Harto Hübner, Jürgen Hetzel, Ralf Eberhardt, Karl-Josef Franke, Felix J. Herth, Angélique Holland, Torsten Loop, Helmut Sitter, Winfried J. Randerath, Lars Hagmeyer
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Summary:Introduction: Sedation during flexible bronchoscopy can be administered by a second physician, an anesthesiologist or as nurse-administered sedation (NAS). Propofol is often administered by non-anesthesiologists. It is unclear whether complications differ with various sedation protocols. Methods: We searched PubMed for clinical trials of sedation during bronchoscopy and conducted a systematic review of complications (death ≤24 h post-procedure or intensive care unit (ICU) admission/predefined cardiopulmonary escalation [CPE]). Outcomes were analyzed according to the staff administering sedation, complexity of procedure, for propofol-containing regimes, and the ASA physical status classification of the patient. Results: This analysis (120 articles, 39,475 procedures) showed a mortality rate of 0.01% for sedation bronchoscopy. ICU admission rate was 0.12%, and CPE was reported in 0.57%. Significantly higher CPE was recorded for anesthesiologists compared to NAS and second physicians (1.16% vs. 0.65% vs. 0.07%, respectively, p < 0.001) with higher ICU admission for NAS compared to anesthesiologists and second physicians (0.35% vs. 0.00% vs. 0.03%, respectively, p < 0.001). Endobronchial ultrasound did not increase complication rates. Admission to ICU and CPE remained <1% in propofol-containing regimes, although complications were slightly lower without propofol. Comparison of lower risk ASA 1-2 studies compared to studies with ASA 1-3 showed no significant difference in outcome. Conclusion: Sedation bronchoscopy is a safe procedure. The staff administering sedation may react differently to periprocedural respiratory and cardiovascular events. Propofol application is not associated with a clinically relevant increase in complication rate. There is no evidence that ASA status is a predictor of individual risk at bronchoscopy.
Item Description:Veröffentlicht: 16. September 2025
Gesehen am 10.12.2025
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1423-0356
DOI:10.1159/000548435