To evaluate the incidence and impact on clinical outcome of complications observed during high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) at interventional bronchoscopy and to identify the perioperative factors that may be associated to an increased incidence of such complications.

Observational retrospective, study with an observational prospective validation of the statistically significant associations.

University hospital.

The retrospective study involved 276 patients who underwent an interventional rigid bronchoscopy during general anesthesia and HFJV. Forty consecutive patients were accrued for the prospective validation group.

Information recorded included patient medical history and perioperative complications observed at HFJV-managed bronchoscopic procedures and their impact on clinical outcome until hospital discharge.

At least one complication was detected in 38% of retrospective patients and 55% of prospective patients. Most frequent complications were hypercapnia, hypoxemia, and hemodynamic instability, but just one case of barotrauma in the retrospective group. Despite the high incidence, these complications were transient and did not increase hospital stay, whereas technical failure to widen airway lumen was associated with an adverse prognosis. Several clinical parameters showed a significant association with complications in the univariate analysis. However, the multivariate analysis only evidenced two independent predictive factors: the ASA physical status scale and baseline oxygen saturation.

Classification in ASA physical status IV group and a baseline oxygen saturation of 95% or less independently predicted the development of complications during interventional rigid bronchoscopy with HFJV.