Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 8, 2025

Author Spotlight: Learning Systematic Bronchoscopy in a Simulation-Base Setting
Published on: June 23, 2023
Risk factors of complications during noninvasive mechanical ventilation -assisted flexible bronchoscopy
Szymon Skoczyński1, Maciej Ogonowski1, Ewelina Tobiczyk2
1Department of Pneumonology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.
Purpose:
Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) causes airway narrowing and may cause respiratory failure (RF). Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is used to treat RF. Until recently, little was known about noninvasive mechanical ventilation assisted flexible bronchoscopy (NIV-FB) risk and complications.
Materials And Methods:
A retrospective analysis of NIV-FB performed in 20 consecutive months (July 1, 2018-February 29, 2020) was performed. Indications for: FB and NIV, as well as impact of comorbidities, blood gas results, pulmonary function test results and sedation depth, were analyzed to reveal NIV-FB risk. Out of a total of 713 FBs, NIV-FB was performed in 50 patients with multiple comorbidities, acute or chronic RF, substantial tracheal narrowing, or after previously unsuccessful FB attempt.
Results:
In three cases, reversible complications were observed. Additionally, due to the severity of underlining disease, two patients were transferred to the ICU where they passed away after >48h. In a single variable analysis, PaO2 69 ± 18.5 and 49 ± 9.0 [mmHg] (p < 0.05) and white blood count (WBC) 10.0 ± 4.81 and 14.4 ± 3.10 (p < 0.05) were found predictive for complications. Left heart disease indicated unfavorable NIV-FB outcome (p = 0.046).
Conclusions:
NIV-FB is safe in severely ill patients, however procedure-related risk should be further defined and verified in prospective studies.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation V: Advanced Airway Management Techniques
Mechanical Ventilation II: Invasive Ventilation
Negative-Pressure Ventilators
Negative-pressure ventilators create a vacuum around the chest or body to draw air into the lungs, simulating breathing. This method does not require an...
Mechanical Ventilation I: Indication and Settings
Factors Affecting Pulmonary Ventilation
Alveolar Surface Tension
The alveolar fluid lines the luminal surface of the alveoli and exerts a force called surface tension. This force is caused by the polar water molecules in the liquid being more strongly attracted to each...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation II: ACLS Airway Management
Mechanical Ventilation III: Noninvasive Ventilation
Noninvasive Positive-Pressure Ventilation...

