Bronchoscopy (cont.)
What are the potential complications of bronchoscopy?
Complications of bronchoscopy are relatively rare and
most often minor. It is important to realize that all
procedures may involve risk or complications from both
known and unforeseen causes, because individual patients
vary in their anatomy and response to medications.
Therefore, there is no guarantee that a procedure can be
free of complications. The following is a list of
potential complications:
- Nose bleeding (epistaxis)
- Lack of oxygen to the body's tissues
- Heart injury due to medications or lack of oxygen
- Bleeding from the site of biopsy
- Damage to teeth (from rigid bronchoscopy)
- Complications from pre-medications or general
anesthesia
(This list is not meant to be inclusive of all possible
complications, but to provide information for your greater
awareness concerning bronchoscopy.)
How does a patient prepare for bronchoscopy?
Usually, patients undergoing bronchoscopy should take
nothing by mouth after midnight prior to the procedure.
Routine medications should be taken with sips of water
except for those drugs that can enhance the risk of
bleeding. These medications are aspirin products, blood
thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin™), and non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory products such as ibuprofen. (These drugs
must be discontinued at varying numbers of days before the
procedure, depending on the medication. Patients must
consult their doctors for the appropriate schedule in their
particular situation.) The doctor will also want to know
of any drug allergies or major drug reactions that the
patient may have experienced.
Next: What should a patient expect during bronchoscopy? »
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