Resp Care
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Diagnostic or therapeutic flexible bronchoscopy is often necessary in severely ill patients. These patients often have comorbidities that increase the risk of bronchoscopy-related complications. ⋯ Noninvasive ventilation may prevent hypoventilation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and obesity hypoventilation syndrome who require bronchoscopy, and may assist in the bronchoscopic evaluation of patients with expiratory central-airway collapse. We describe the indications, contraindications, and technique of flexible bronchoscopy during noninvasive ventilation.