Respiratory complications during recovery from gastrointestinal endoscopies performed by gastroenterologists under...

Data on the incidence of adverse respiratory events during recovery from gastrointestinal endoscopy are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of these complications.

In this retrospective cohort study, data were obtained from the electronic records of 657 consecutive patients, who underwent gastroenterological procedures under sedation.

Pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO2) <90% for <60 seconds occurred in 82 patients (12.5%) and in 11 patients (1.7%), SpO2 of <90% for >60 seconds occurred in 79 patients (12.0%) and in 11 patients (1.7%), and SpO2 <75% occurred in four patients (0.6%) and in no patients during the procedure and recovery period, respectively. No major complications were noted. The occurrence of desaturation during recovery was correlated with desaturation during the procedure (p<0.001). American Society of Anesthesiologists score (odds ratio [OR], 1.867; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.008-3.458), ischemic heart disease (OR, 1.815; 95% CI, 0.649-5.080), hypertension (OR, 1.289; 95% CI, 0.472-3.516), and diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.406; 95% CI, 0.950-6.095) increased the occurrence of desaturation during recovery.

We found no major complications during recovery after balanced propofol-based sedation administered by a gastroenterologist-nurse team. Patients with the identified risk predictors must be monitored carefully.