Sedation may ease risky lung exam in breathless patients

NCT ID NCT00741949

First seen Jun 02, 2026 · Last updated Jun 22, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tested whether giving propofol sedation during a lung exam (bronchoscopy) under noninvasive ventilation helps patients with severe breathing failure stay more comfortable and maintain oxygen levels. Forty-six adults with acute respiratory failure needing a diagnostic lung exam took part. Half received propofol sedation, half received a placebo, and researchers measured oxygen saturation, patient comfort, and procedure success.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for RESPIRATORY INSUFFICIENCY are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Centre hospitalier Libourne

    Libourne, 33505, France

  • University Hospital Bordeaux, Groupe Hospitalier Pellegrin

    Bordeaux, 33076, France

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Propofol

What this could lead to

If it works, this could make bronchoscopy safer and more comfortable for patients with severe breathing problems, reducing the need for a breathing tube.

What could go wrong

This is a small, completed Phase 3 trial with only 46 participants, so results may not apply broadly. Propofol sedation can lower blood pressure or slow breathing, which could be risky in these patients.

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

acute respiratory failure respiratory failure

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.