Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia
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J. Cardiothorac. Vasc. Anesth. · Apr 1998
Airway compression in children due to congenital heart disease: value of flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopic assessment.
To evaluate the frequency and severity of airway compression due to congenital heart disease in children and validate the use of the fiberoptic bronchoscope to assess them. ⋯ Endoscopy in an awake patient is the only way to evaluate the functional component of a compression due to malacia; the resulting collapse of the airway can cause trapping of air and secretions. Furthermore, fiberoptic bronchoscopy offers a complete examination of the airways and can help detect airway abnormalities that are potential causes of complications. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy is a suitable and well-tolerated examination that is easy to perform at the bedside of the child. This technique optimizes the preoperative assessment of children with congenital heart disease.