Methods
In a one-year prospective study, 20 consequent infants who full-filled criteria including a) age less than 3 years, b) a clinical schedule for elective FB, and c) got parents signed-consent for this study, were enrolled. Two bronchoscopists (Soong and Chen) carried out the SPI studies. The Institutional Review Board of hospital and IRB approved this study (DMR-109-179, CMUH108-REC3-114). Patient confidentiality was maintained in accordance with Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act guidelines.
The study child was laid supine on the endoscopy room table, with procedural sedation and continuous cardiopulmonary monitoring. A continuous oxygen flow (1.0 L/Kg/min, maximal 10.0 L/min) was delivered via a small nasopharyngeal catheter via (right) nostril as the “PhO2”. This NIV of PhO2-NC-AC supported the whole FB intervention. All the SPI studies were performed after completion of their original scheduled FB.