Abstract
Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) is a promising new technique that is rapidly developing as a standard diagnostic procedure in the diagnosis of interstitial lung disease1. However there continues to be a variety of non-standardised approaches taken to its implementation2.
We performed a retrospective sequential cohort study of patients undergoing TBLC using flexible bronchoscopy under conscious sedation in Cork University Hospital over the calendar years 2017 – 2018; with a transition to the use of endobronchial balloon blockers (EBB) in 2018.
Pneumothorax was associated with an increased biopsy rate (p=0.017) and was observed more often with EBB usage, wherein more biopsies were taken. EBB usage significantly reduced bleeding despite an increased mean biopsy rate (p=0.03).
EBB improve patient safety in patients undergoing TBLC. Our institute is novel in using EBB as standard during TBLC under conscious sedation. EBB further enhance the safety profile of offering this procedure under conscious sedation with flexible bronchoscopy and do not appear to impact patient comfort.
References:
1. Ravaglia C, et al. BMC Pulm Med. 2019;19(1):16
2. Lentz RJ, et al. J Thorac Dis. 2017;9(7):2186-2203
Footnotes
Cite this article as: European Respiratory Journal 2019; 54: Suppl. 63, PA3103.
This is an ERS International Congress abstract. No full-text version is available. Further material to accompany this abstract may be available at www.ers-education.org (ERS member access only).
- Copyright ©the authors 2019