Propofol and Remifentanil Sedation for Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Prospective Cohort Trial

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT) is a rapidly emerging bronchoscopic treatment for patients with moderate-to-severe asthma. Different sedation strategies are currently used, ranging from mild midazolam sedation to general anesthesia requiring tracheal intubation.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, safety, and both patients' and bronchoscopists' satisfaction with propofol and remifentanil sedation administered by specialized sedation anesthesiology nurses during BT in severe asthma patients.

A prospective observational cohort study in BT-treated severe asthma patients of the TASMA trial was designed. Patients were asked to rate their overall BT procedure satisfaction and tolerance with propofol/remifentanil sedation using a visual analogue scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10. Similarly, bronchoscopists were asked to rate patient cooperation and tolerance. Sedation-associated adverse events and the number of BT activations were recorded.

Thirty-two BT procedures in 13 severe asthma patients were performed under moderate target-controlled infusion (TCI) propofol/remifentanil sedation. Patients' median VAS scores were as follows: overall satisfaction 9.6 (interquartile range [IQR] 8.5-10.0), dyspnea 0.0 (IQR 0.0-0.6), pain 0.1 (IQR 0.0-1.0), cough 0.5 (IQR 0.0-2.1), and anxiety 0.1 (IQR 0.0-0.7). Bronchoscopists' median VAS scores were as follows: overall patient cooperation 9.1 (IQR 8.5-9.6), dyspnea 0.3 (IQR 0.0-0.9), pain 0.2 (IQR 0.0-1.3), cough 1.2 (IQR 0.7-2.0), and discomfort 0.6 (IQR 0.3-1.5). All patients were willing to undergo the procedure again and would recommend this form of sedation to their best friend. One case of conversion to general anesthesia occurred and no serious adverse events were reported.

Moderate sedation with propofol and remifentanil TCI provided by specialized sedation anesthesiology nurses is feasible and safe and results in high satisfaction rates of both patients and bronchoscopists.