Journal of bronchology & interventional pulmonology
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J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol · Oct 2010
Performance characteristics of semirigid thoracoscopy in pleural effusions of undetermined etiology.
The utility of the recently introduced semirigid thoracoscopy in undiagnosed pleural effusions is still unclear. ⋯ Semirigid thoracoscopy is a safe, well-tolerated, and efficacious procedure for establishing the diagnosis in pleural effusions of undetermined etiology.
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J Bronchology Interv Pulmonol · Oct 2010
Prospective pilot trial of dexmedetomidine sedation for awake diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy.
Dexmedetomidine has the favorable properties of sedation, sympatholysis, analgesia, and a low risk of apnea. These properties suggest that dexmedetomidine may be useful in procedural sedation. In view of this, we conducted a pilot trial to determine the feasibility of using dexmedetomidine as a sole agent for providing sedation during awake diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy. ⋯ Hemodynamic parameters (heart rate, blood pressure), oxygenation status (pulse oximetry), adverse events, use of rescue sedation, and patient and proceduralist satisfaction were recorded during the trial. Five of 9 recruited patients required rescue sedation to allow the procedure to proceed. Dexmedetomidine as a sole agent at an infusion of 0.5 μg/kg over 10 minutes followed by an infusion of 0.2 to 0.7 μg/kg/h is unable to provide adequate sedation for awake diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy without the need for rescue sedation in a large proportion of patients.