Incidence and Nature of Respiratory Impairment in Consecutive Patients Undergoing Bronchoscopy Under Conscious Sedation: A Pilot Study

This study aims to characterize airflow patterns during bronchoscopy under conscious sedation, and determine the incidence of obstructive and central respiratory events. The investigators also plan to monitor the degree and frequency of oxygen desaturation throughout the procedure. To achieve this, investigators use a physiologic monitoring device (NOX T3, K082113) that has been FDA approved for the screening and diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing \[1\]. The results from this pilot study will be used to assess the feasibility of a prospective study utilizing continuous external negative pressure (Pneuway). This negative pressure is applied through a neck mask to alleviate upper airway collapsibility and can potentially decrease the number of apneas during bronchoscopy under conscious sedation \[2\].