Sedation for bronchoscopy: current practices in Latin America

• Published in: Jornal brasileiro de pneumologia 2020-01, Vol.46 (1)
• Main Authors: Rubinstein-Aguñín, Pablo, García-Choque, Marco Antonio, López-Araoz, Alberto, Fernández-Bussy, Sebastián
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Bronchoscopy/methods; Conscious sedation/statistics & numerical data; Hypnotics and sedatives; Original; RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• ISSN: 1806-3713; 1806-3756; 1806-3756
• DOI: 10.1590/1806-3713/e20180240

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate current practices in sedation for bronchoscopy in Latin America. Methods: This was an anonymous survey of select members of the Latin American Thoracic Association. The questionnaire, made available online from November of 2015 through February of 2016, was designed to collect data on demographic characteristics; type of facility (public or private); type/volume of bronchoscopies; type of sedation; and type of professional administering the sedation. Results: We received 338 completed questionnaires from 19 countries; 250 respondents (74.0%) were male. The mean respondent age was 36.0 ± 10.5 years. Of the 338 respondents, 304 (89.9%) were pulmonologists; 169 (50.0%) worked at public facilities; and 152 (45.0%) worked at teaching facilities. All of the respondents performed diagnostic fiberoptic bronchoscopy, 206 (60.9%) performed therapeutic fiberoptic bronchoscopy, 125 (37.0%) performed rigid bronchoscopy, 37 (10.9%) performed endobronchial ultrasound, and 3 (0.9%) performed laser therapy/thermoplasty/cryotherapy. Sedation for bronchoscopy was employed by 324 respondents (95.6%). Of the 338 respondents, 103 (30.5%) and 96 (28.4%) stated, respectively, that such sedation should “usually” and “never” be administered by a bronchoscopist; 324 (95.9%) supported training bronchoscopists in sedation. Sedation administered by a bronchoscopist was reported by 113 respondents, conscious sedation being employed by 109 (96.2%). The use of benzodiazepines, propofol, and opiates was reported, respectively, by 252 (74.6%), 179 (52.9%), and 132 (39.0%) of the 338 respondents. Deep sedation and general anesthesia were more common at private facilities. Conclusions: The consensus seems to be that a well-trained bronchoscopist can safely administer sedation for bronchoscopy. However, approximately 40% of bronchoscopists do not do so regularly. RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar as práticas atuais de sedação na broncoscopia na América Latina. Métodos: Trata-se de um inquérito realizado de forma anônima com membros selecionados da Associação Latino-Americana de Tórax. O questionário, disponibilizado on-line entre novembro de 2015 e fevereiro de 2016, foi desenvolvido para coletar dados sobre características demográficas, tipo de serviço (público ou privado), tipo/volume de broncoscopias, tipo de sedação e tipo de profissional que administra a sedação. Resultados: Recebemos 338 questionários preenchidos de 19 países; 250 entrevistados (74,0%) eram do sexo