Sedation optimizes patient comfort and ease of execution during fiber optic bronchoscopy (FOB). Our objective was to describe the safety and efficacy of remifentanil-TCI during FOB in non-intubated, hypoxaemic, thoracic surgery ICU patients.

Consecutive spontaneously breathing adults requiring FOB after thoracic surgery were included if they had hypoxaemia (PaO₂/FiO₂<300mmHg or need for non-invasive ventilation [NIV]) and prior FOB failure under topical anaesthesia. The remifentanil initial target was chosen at 1ng/mL brain effect-site concentration (Cet), then titrated to 0.5ng/mL Cet increments according to patient comfort and coughing. Outcomes were patient-reported pain and discomfort (Visual Analogue Scale scores), ventilatory support intensification within 24hours after bronchoscopy, and ease of FOB execution.

Thirty-nine patients were included; all had a successful FOB. Their median PO₂/FiO₂ before starting FOB was 187±84mmHg and 24 patients received NIV. Median [interquartile range] pain scores were not different before and after FOB (1.0 [0.0–3.0] and 0.0 [0.0–2.0], respectively). Discomfort was reported as absent or minimal by 27 patients (69%; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 54–81%) and as bothersome but tolerable by 12 patients (31%; 95% CI, 19–46%). Mean FiO₂ returned to baseline within 2hours after FOB in 30 patients; the remaining 9 patients (23%; 95% CI, 13–38%) received ventilatory support intensification. Ease of execution was good or very good in 34 patients (87%; 95% CI, 73–94%), acceptable in 4 patients, and poor in 1 patient (persistent cough).

Sedation with remifentanil-TCI during FOB with prior failure under topical anaesthesia alone was effective and acceptably safe in non-intubated hypoxaemic thoracic surgery patients.