PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - D. Stolz AU - G. Kurer AU - A. Meyer AU - P. N. Chhajed AU - E. Pflimlin AU - W. Strobel AU - M. Tamm TI - Propofol <em>versus</em> combined sedation in flexible bronchoscopy: a randomised non-inferiority trial AID - 10.1183/09031936.00180808 DP - 2009 Nov 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - 1024--1030 VI - 34 IP - 5 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/34/5/1024.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/34/5/1024.full SO - Eur Respir J2009 Nov 01; 34 AB - Combined sedation with a benzodiazepine and an opiate has been proposed as standard sedation for bronchoscopy. Propofol is a sedative–hypnotic with a rapid onset of action and fast recovery time, but carries the potential risk of respiratory failure. Consecutive patients (n = 200) were randomly allocated to receive either the combination midazolam and hydrocodone or intravenous propofol. The primary end-points were the mean lowest arterial oxygen saturation during bronchoscopy and the readiness-for-discharge score 1 h after the procedure. The mean lowest arterial oxygen saturation during bronchoscopy did not differ across treatment groups (p = 0.422), and the number of patients recording an arterial oxygen saturation of ≤90% on at least one occasion was similar in both groups (p = 0.273). The median (interquartile range) readiness-for-discharge score 1 h after the procedure was significantly higher in the propofol group than in the combined sedation group (8 (6–9) versus 7 (5–9); p = 0.035). Patients assigned propofol exhibited less tachycardia during bronchoscopy and for ≥1 h after the examination. Minor procedural complications were noted in 71 (35.5%) patients and exhibited a similar incidence in both treatment arms (p = 0.460). Propofol is as effective and safe as combined sedation in patients undergoing flexible bronchoscopy, thus representing an appealing option if timely discharge is a priority.