High-Frequency Jet Ventilation in Nonintubated Patients.

OBJECTIVES High frequency jet ventilation HFJV is a convenient method for providing ventilation during fiberoptic bronchoscopy We describe an incipient approach of high frequency jet ventilation via the working channel of a flexible bronchoscope for nonintubated patients who suffer from hypoxemia during bronchoscopy The aim of this study was to test the efficacy of this incipient approach and determine the possible complications related to it MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixteen patients who had oxygen saturation below 70 that did not resolve with nasal oxygen for 20 s during interventional bronchoscopy were included in the study High frequency jet ventilation was administrated via the working channel of a bronchoscope for 3 min Arterial blood gas circumscriptions were compared before and after jet ventilation RESULTS Oxygen saturation increased to 90 in all patients 30 s after jet ventilation Mean arterial oxygen saturation pressure increased from 54 84 to 111 98 mmHg with jet ventilation p 0 0001 Arterial carbon dioxide tension decreased after jet ventilation The body mass index had no consequential effect on arterial carbon dioxide pressure after jet ventilation in our patients p 0 1 Complications such as pneumothorax and working channel damage were not observed CONCLUSION High frequency jet ventilation via the working channel of the bronchoscope is a novel method that can provide optimal ventilation with minimal complications to nonintubated patients suffering from hypoxemia during bronchoscopy This method also reduces the duration of bronchoscopy procedures