Effect of bronchoscopy on intracranial hypertension during different regimen of sedation by optic nerve sheath diameter

Abstract

Objectives: Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) is a useful method for ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), aspiration, and atelectasis, especially in intensive care units. (ICU) We aimed to investigate the effect of FOB on intracranial pressure by ultrasonographic optic nerve sheath diameter (uONSD) during different sedation protocols in a tertiary ICU.

Methods: Prospective randomized study included the patients with two groups as superficial (Group M; midazolam) and deep sedation (Group P; propofol). FOB was performed for VAP or aspiration and intracranial hypertension (ICH) was measured with uONSD, noninvasively. The values of uONSD were noted pre-procedure, on sedation, 1st – 5th, and 15th minute of the procedure. In addition, mean arterial pressures (MAP), oxygen saturation, and heart rate values were recorded from the monitor.

Results: The mean age and indications of FOB for 33 patients as Group M (n=17) and Group P (n=16) were similar to each other. ONSD was increased with the procedure in both groups but in group P it was stabilized from the 5th minutes of FOB whereas became higher progressively in group M (p<0,001). Postoperative MAP values that may have an important role for ICH were also increased in Group M (MAP was 70.65 ± 16.18 at time of sedation in Group P and 75.63 ± 13.76 in Group M).

Conclusion: This study showed that bronchoscopy results as a significant increase for OSND in both groups but that was less high in patients who had deep sedation with propofol and it returned to baseline after the procedure.