Summary
The association of hypoxemia and cardiac arrhythmias with fiberoptic bronchoscopy
(FOB) is known. The effects of various methods of inserting the bronchoscope on blood
oxygen tensions, the true prevalence of arrhythmias, and the clinical significance
of PaO2 and rhythm changes are poorly defined. Arterial blood gas values, oxygen saturation
and cardiac arrhythmias detected by 24-hour Holter monitoring were compared in 20
male patients undergoing either transoral or transnasal FOB. No significant difference
in oxygen saturation was found; however, PaO2 values fluctuated widely and unpredictably and were significantly higher in the eight
patients in the transnasal FOB group. No life-threatening arrhythmias were induced
during bronchoscopy; however, because of minor arrhythmias such as sinus tachycardia,
the overall frequency of arrhythmias rose from 60 % to 65 %. The incidence of arrhythmias
in this study was similar to that reported during pulmonary function testing.
Key words:
Fiberoptic bronchoscopy - Arrhythmia - Hypoxemia
