Do "screening" coagulation tests predict bleeding in patients undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy with biopsy?

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine if preprocedure coagulation testing predicts bleeding in patients undergoing flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) with biopsy. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Southeastern, urban Veteran Affairs Medical Center. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-four patient charts representing 305 FOB with biopsy were reviewed for clinical predictors of bleeding, prebronchoscopy laboratory abnormalities, and incidence of bleeding complications. Thirty-five patients bled, and 3 had abnormal results of coagulation studies. Normal results of coagulation studies and no clinical risk factors were noted in 68 percent of patients who bled. CONCLUSION: Patients undergoing flexible FOB with biopsy do not benefit from preprocedure coagulation testing.