A national study of cardiopulmonary unplanned events after GI endoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Cardiopulmonary unplanned events (CUE) related to conscious sedation constitute a major proportion of GI endoscopy-associated complications.

OBJECTIVES: Our purpose was to study the incidence of CUE during GI endoscopy and to determine factors that may predict CUE.

DESIGN: Retrospective CORI (Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative) database review.

PATIENTS: Undergoing GI endoscopy under conscious sedation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: CUE associated with GI endoscopy.

RESULTS: Data on 324,737 unique procedures (EGD, 140,692; colonoscopy, 174,255; ERCP, 6092; and EUS, 3698) performed with the patient under conscious sedation were analyzed. Unplanned events were reported in 1.4% of procedures; 0.9% were associated with CUE. Rates of CUE with EGD, colonoscopy, ERCP, and EUS were 0.6%, 1.1%, 2.1%, and 0.9%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression revealed patient age (odds ratio [OR] 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.02) and ASA class were significant predictors of CUE (OR compared with ASA I: ASA II 1.05, 95% CI 0.95-1.16; ASA III 1.8, 95% CI 1.6-2.0, ASA IV 3.2, 95% CI 2.5-4.1, ASA V 7.5; 95% CI 3.2-17.6). Inpatient procedures were associated with higher CUE (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.3-1.7). Compared with universities, nonuniversity sites (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.4) and Veterans Administration Medical Centers (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.2-1.5) had significantly higher CUE. Use of supplemental oxygen during a procedure was associated with significantly more CUE (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3). Involvement of a trainee with a procedure was also associated with higher CUE (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1-1.4).

LIMITATIONS: Retrospective review of data entered voluntarily by endoscopists not trained on CORI data entry.

CONCLUSIONS: During GI endoscopy with conscious sedation, patient's age, higher ASA grade, inpatient status, trainee participation, and routine use of oxygen are associated with a higher incidence of CUE.