ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During upper digestive endoscopy arterial desaturations occur which may favour cardiopulmonary complications; therefore, monitoring and oxygen administration to risk patients is recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate desaturations occurring during endoscopy and whether there are differences between patients with or without prior obstructive respiratory pathology. METHODS: A total of 119 consecutive patients undergoing upper digestive endoscopy were studied. The clinical history and simple spirometry were obtained before endoscopy; during endoscopy, a continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation and heart rate with pulse oximetry. RESULTS: Forty-six patients (38.7%) had oxygen saturations lower than 90% (Group I). Patients were significantly older and FEV-1, FVC, FEF 25-75, and FEV-1/FVC significantly lower among patients in Group I than among the 73 patients (61.3%) with no oxygen desaturation (Group II). A Tiffenau index lower than 70% was not a good predictor for oxygen desaturation during endoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Pulse-oximetry monitoring during upper digestive endoscopy is recommended and particularly in patients with obstructive respiratory conditions and/or advanced age.
Subject(s)
Endoscopy, Digestive System , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/prevention & control , Monitoring, Physiologic , Oximetry , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Endoscopy, Digestive System/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Lung Diseases, Obstructive/etiology , Male , Middle Aged , Monitoring, Physiologic/methods , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Two cases of pneumonia associated with chicken pox in previously healthy patients are described. Their known risk factor was heavy smoking. Both were treated successfully with parenteral aciclovir, although one presented a restrictive spirometric pattern with lowered DLCO that became normal 3 months after discharge.
