High-Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygenation During Sedated Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Hypoxemia is the most common adverse event during propofol sedation for gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) due to diminished pulmonary reserve. Although high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygenation has been shown to effectively reduce hypoxemia during sedated endoscopy in obese patients, its application in COPD patients remains an evidence gap, largely owing to the traditional concern that high-concentration oxygen may suppress respiratory drive and exacerbate CO₂ retention. This study aims to investigate whether HFNC can reduce the incidence of hypoxemia during sedated gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with COPD.