Respiratory complications during recovery from gastrointestinal endoscopies performed by gastroenterologists under moderate sedation

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Data on the incidence of adverse respiratory events during recovery from gastrointestinal endoscopy are limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of these complications. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, data were obtained from the electronic records of 657 consecutive patients, who underwent gastroenterological procedures under sedation. RESULTS: Pulse oximetry oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) <90% for <60 seconds occurred in 82 patients (12.5%), and in 11 patients (1.7%), SpO(2) of <90% for >60 seconds occurred in 79 patients (12.0%) and in 14 patients (2.1%), and SpO(2) <75% occurred in four patients (0.6%) and in no patients during the procedure and recovery period, respectively. No major complications were noted. The occurrence of desaturation during recovery was correlated with desaturation during the procedure (p<0.001). Higher American Society of Anesthesiologists score (odds ratio [OR], 1.867; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.008–3.458), ischemic heart disease (OR, 1.815; 95% CI, 0.649–5.080), hypertension (OR, 1.289; 95% CI, 0.472–3.516), and diabetes mellitus (OR, 2.406; 95% CI, 0.950–6.095) increased the occurrence of desaturation during recovery. CONCLUSIONS: We found no major complications during recovery after balanced propofol-based sedation administered by a gastroenterologist-nurse team. Patients with the identified risk predictors must be monitored carefully.