Letter: Iced saline lavage during bronchoscopy

Endobronchial Phenylephrine in Airway Bleeding During Bronchoscopy Does not Cause Hypertension: A Retrospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Bleeding is a known complication during bronchoscopy, with increased incidence in patients undergoing a more invasive procedure. Phenylephrine is a potent vasoconstrictor that can control airway bleeding when applied topically and has been used as an alternative to epinephrine. The clinical effects of endobronchial phenylephrine on systemic vasoconstriction have not been clearly evaluated. Here, we compared the effects of endobronchial phenylephrine versus cold saline on systemic blood pressure.

METHODS

In all, 160 patients who underwent bronchoscopy and received either endobronchial phenylephrine or cold saline from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022 were included in this retrospective observational study. Intra-procedural blood pressure absolute and percent changes were measured and compared between the 2 groups.

RESULTS

There were no observed statistical differences in blood pressure changes between groups. The median absolute change between the median and the maximum intra-procedural systolic blood pressure in the cold saline group was 29 mm Hg (IQR 19 to 41) compared with 31.8 mm Hg (IQR 18 to 45.5) in the phenylephrine group. The corresponding median percent changes in SBP were 33.6 % (IQR 18.8 to 39.4) and 28% (IQR 16.8 to 43.5) for the cold saline and phenylephrine groups, respectively. Similarly, there were no statistically significant differences in diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure changes between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

We found no significant differences in median intra-procedural systemic blood pressure changes comparing patients who received endobronchial cold saline to those receiving phenylephrine. Overall, this argues for the vascular and systemic safety of phenylephrine for airway bleeding as a reasonable alternative to epinephrine.

Prophylactic epinephrine attenuates severe bleeding in lung transplantation patients undergoing transbronchial lung biopsy: Results of the PROPHET randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Severe hemorrhage is an uncommon yet potentially life-threatening complication of transbronchial lung biopsy. Lung transplantation recipients undergo multiple bronchoscopies with biopsy and are considered to be at an increased risk for bleeding from transbronchial biopsy, independent of traditional risk factors. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endobronchial administration of prophylactic topical epinephrine in attenuating transbronchial biopsy-related hemorrhage in lung transplant recipients.

METHODS

The Prophylactic Epinephrine for the Prevention of Transbronchial Lung Biopsy-related Bleeding in Lung Transplant Recipients study was a 2-center, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Participants undergoing transbronchial lung biopsy were randomized to receive 1:10,000-diluted topical epinephrine vs saline placebo administered prophylactically into the target segmental airway. Bleeding was graded based on a clinical severity scale. The primary efficacy outcome was incidence of severe or very severe hemorrhage. The primary safety outcome was a composite of 3-hours all-cause mortality and an acute cardiovascular event.

RESULTS

A total of 66 lung transplantation recipients underwent 100 bronchoscopies during the study period. The primary outcome of severe or very severe hemorrhage occurred in 4 cases (8%) in the prophylactic epinephrine group and in 13 cases (24%) in the control group (p = 0.04). The composite primary safety outcome did not occur in any of the study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In lung transplantation recipients undergoing transbronchial lung biopsy, prophylactic administration of 1:10,000-diluted topical epinephrine into the target segmental airway before biopsy attenuates the incidence of significant endobronchial hemorrhage without conveying a significant cardiovascular risk. (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03126968).

Prophylactic epinephrine for the prevention of transbronchial lung biopsy-related bleeding in lung transplant recipients (PROPHET) study: a protocol for a multicentre randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Transbronchial lung biopsy (TBLB) is frequently performed in single-lung and double-lung transplant recipients for evaluation of clinical and radiological findings as well as routine surveillance for acute cellular rejection. While rates of clinically significant TBLB-related haemorrhage are <1% for all comers, the incidence in lung transplant recipients is reported to be higher, presumably due to persistent allograft inflammation and alterations in allograft blood flow. While routinely performed by some bronchoscopists, the efficacy and safety profile of prophylactic administration of topical intrabronchial diluted epinephrine for the prevention of TBLB-related haemorrhage has not been explored in a prospective manner.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

In this randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial (PROPHET Study), single-lung and double-lung transplant adult recipients from participating institutions who are scheduled for bronchoscopy with TBLB for clinical indications will be identified. Potential participants who meet inclusion and exclusion criteria and sign an informed consent will be randomised to receive either diluted epinephrine or placebo prior to performance of TBLB. The degree of TBLB-related haemorrhage will be graded by the performing bronchoscopist as well as independent observers. The primary analysis will compare the rates of severe and very severe bleeding in participants treated with epinephrine or placebo. The study will also evaluate the safety profile of prophylactic topical epinephrine including the occurrence of serious cardiovascular and haemodynamic adverse events. Additional secondary outcomes to be explored include rates of non-severe TBLB-related haemorrhage, overall yield of the bronchoscopic procedure and non-serious cardiovascular and haemodynamic adverse effects.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study procedures were reviewed and approved by institutional review boards in participating institutions. This study is being externally monitored, and a data and safety monitoring committee has been assembled to monitor patient safety and to evaluate the efficacy of the intervention. The results of this study will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and presented at relevant academic conferences.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03126968; Pre-results.

Management of respiratory symptoms in patients with advanced lung cancer

SUMMARY Respiratory symptoms requiring palliation in patients with lung cancer may be caused either by the primary tumor itself, or by locoregional metastases within the thorax. Moreover, pulmonary symptoms can also be secondary, stemming from complications of lung cancer treatment or from independent comorbid conditions. This article outlines current recommendations for palliative care in lung cancer patients sorted according to salient respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough and hemoptysis). Written from the pulmonological point of view, the article gives an overview of what pulmonary specialists can offer, including invasive endobronchial and surgical procedures.

Palliative care in lung cancer: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (2nd edition)

GOALS/OBJECTIVES: To review the scientific evidence on symptoms and specific complications that are associated with lung cancer, and the methods available to palliate those symptoms and complications.

METHODS

MEDLINE literature review (through March 2006) for all studies published in the English language, including case series and case reports, since 1966 using the following medical subject heading terms: bone metastases; brain metastases; cough; dyspnea; electrocautery; hemoptysis; interventional bronchoscopy; laser; pain management; pleural effusions; spinal cord metastases; superior vena cava syndrome; and tracheoesophageal fistula.

RESULTS

Pulmonary symptoms that may require palliation in patients who have lung cancer include those caused by the primary cancer itself (dyspnea, wheezing, cough, hemoptysis, chest pain), or locoregional metastases within the thorax (superior vena cava syndrome, tracheoesophageal fistula, pleural effusions, ribs, and pleura). Respiratory symptoms can also result from complications of lung cancer treatment or from comorbid conditions. Constitutional symptoms are common and require attention and care. Symptoms referable to distant extrathoracic metastases to bone, brain, spinal cord, and liver pose additional problems that require a specific response for optimal symptom control. There are excellent scientific data regarding the management of many of these issues, with lesser evidence from case series or expert opinion on other aspects of providing palliative care for lung cancer patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Palliation of symptoms and complications in lung cancer patients is possible, and physicians who provide such care must be knowledgeable about these issues.

Controle da hemoptise maciça com broncoscopia rígida e soro fisiológico gelado

INTRODUÇÃO: A hemoptise volumosa é uma condição com alta morbidade e mortalidade, independentemente do tratamento instituído. Vários métodos são utilizados para o controle do sangramento agudo. A instilação de soro fisiológico gelado através de broncoscópio rígido foi descrita em 1980. OBJETIVO: Determinar a eficácia de instilações repetidas de soro fisiológico gelado a 4ºC através de broncoscópio rígido no controle agudo de hemoptise maciça. MÉTODO: Uma série de 94 pacientes, com hemoptise maciça, foi tratada durante sangramento ativo com broncoscopia rígida e lavagem do pulmão sangrante com soro fisiológico gelado. Foi considerado sucesso terapêutico a ausência de sangramento nos 15 dias subseqüentes. Causas de hemoptise, com o respectivo número de pacientes: tuberculose pulmonar, 78 (83%), sendo tuberculose ativa em 48 e seqüela de tuberculose em 30; bronquiectasias, seis; câncer de pulmão, cinco; aspergiloma intracavitário, três, e desconhecida, dois. O sítio de sangramento foi localizado em 93 pacientes (99%). O volume médio de soro infundido durante a broncoscopia foi de 528ml e variou de 160ml a 2.500ml. RESULTADOS: O sangramento cessou durante o procedimento em todos os pacientes. Em 15 pacientes foi feita alguma intervenção (cirurgia, embolização ou radioterapia) num prazo menor que 15 dias, e nestes a eficácia da lavagem não pôde ser avaliada. A hemoptise recorreu em 20 dos 79 pacientes acompanhados por mais de 15 dias. Houve necessidade de nova lavagem com soro fisiológico uma vez em 13 pacientes, duas vezes em seis e três vezes em um paciente. CONCLUSÃO: O controle imediato da hemorragia traqueobrônquica com a administração de soro fisiológico gelado através de broncoscopia rígida é efetivo e pode ser repetido em caso de recorrência do sangramento. O procedimento é seguro e permite que o tratamento definitivo possa ser realizado em melhores condições clínicas.

Lung cancer. Palliative care

The majority of patients who acquire lung cancer will have troublesome symptoms at some time during the course of their disease. Some of the symptoms are common to many types of cancers, while others are more often encountered with lung cancer than other primary sites. The most common symptoms are pain, dyspnea, and cough. This document will address the management of these symptoms, and it will also address the palliation of specific problems that are commonly seen in lung cancer: metastases to the brain, spinal cord, and bones; hemoptysis; tracheoesophageal fistula; and obstruction of the superior vena cava.