Increased risk of respiratory events during endobronchial ultrasound examination in patients with reduced forced expiratory volume: a prospective observational study.

Background: The incidence of adverse events during endobronchial ultrasound is low. Nevertheless, it is unclear, whether patients with impaired pulmonary function have an increased risk of respiratory events during the intervention. Methods: A monocentric prospective observational study was performed at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital Frankfurt/Main, Germany. Adult patients undergoing an endobronchial ultrasound examination with propofol-sedation were included. Pre-interventional screening included pulmonary function testing, laboratory tests and electrocardiogram. The occurrence of hypercapnia >55 mmHg or reduced oxygen saturation <85% was defined as a respiratory event was recorded and compared between patients with normal and impaired pulmonary function tests. Results: In total, 126 patients were included. Pulmonary function testing revealed a median FEV1 of 2.2 l (range 0.4-6.04l) and a predicted FEV1 of 79.5% (range 20-127.8%) respectively. The median FVC was 3.0 l (range 0.87-7.28l), the median predicted FVC was 82% (range 31.4-128.4%). In 72 examinations (60%) pCO Conclusions: An impaired forced expiratory volume is associated with the frequency of respiratory events during endobronchial ultrasound examination under propofol-sedation.