Safety of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in Airway Pressure Release Ventilation Mode in Critically Ill Patients: Are These Results Safe?

Abstract

The current recommendations for performing bronchoscopies in intubated and mechanically ventilated patients indicate that the tidal volume (Vt) can be increased between 100 and 150 mL or the pressure limits/inspiratory pressures which guarantees an adequate Vt and ventilator setting should preferably be in mandatory mode. 1 We have carefully read the recently published study titled, “The Safety of Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy in Airway Pressure Release Ventilation Mode in Critically Ill Patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: A Preliminary Study” 2 and have the following concerns regarding the methodology, validity