The Role of Bronchoscopy as a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Modality in Critically Ill Patients with Respiratory Failure and Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit: A Descriptive Observational Study
Authors
Abstract
Introduction: Respiratory failure remains a major cause of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality worldwide. Pneumonia frequently results in respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation. Bronchoscopy enables direct airway visualization and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), providing important diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in critically ill patients. This study evaluated the role of bronchoscopy in ICU patients with pneumonia-associated respiratory failure.
Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted in the adult ICU of RSUP H. Adam Malik Medan, Indonesia. Adult patients with pneumonia-associated respiratory failure requiring invasive mechanical ventilation who underwent bronchoscopy during ICU treatment in December 2025 were included. Data were obtained from medical records, bronchoscopy reports, laboratory investigations, and radiological examinations. Outcomes included chest radiographic findings, leukocyte count, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and BAL culture results.
Results: Eighteen patients were included. Radiological improvement was observed in 13 patients (72%), whereas deterioration was observed in five (28 %) patients. Improvement in leukocyte count occurred in 16 (89%) patients, and improvement in NLR was identified in 15 (83%) patients. BAL cultures predominantly revealed Acinetobacter baumannii, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Conclusion: Bronchoscopy provides important diagnostic and therapeutic benefits in ICU patients with pneumonia-associated respiratory failure by facilitating airway clearance, improving inflammatory parameters, and supporting targeted antimicrobial therapies.
Similar Articles
- Aris Darmoko, Nurita Dian Kestriani , Intensive Care Management of Non-Ischemic Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Morbid Obesity in a Parturient Undergoing Cesarean Section , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 11 (2025): November
- Fahmi Sani , Suwarman Suwarman, Management of Patients with Guillain-Barré Syndrome in the Intensive Care Unit , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 5 (2025): May
- Suwarman, Tresna Kusumah Natapraja, Management af a Patient with Guillain-Barré Syndrome Miller Fisher Type and Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia in the Intensive Care Unit : a Case Report , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 11 (2024): November
- Angga Permana Putra, Ardi Zulfariansyah, Management of Myasthenic Crisis in the Intensive Care Unit , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 11 (2025): November
- Rendi Sidiq, Bastian Lubis, Yutu Solihat, Comparison of Pre-Loading Fluid With Norepinephrine Toward Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) In Sepsis Patients In Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Haji Adam Malik General Hospital, Medan , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 1 No. 2 (2022): November
- Putri Nahrisyah, Fajrinur Syahrani, Amira Permatasari Tarigan, Taufik Ashar, Survival Rate of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Patients with Type II Respiratory Failure at Haji Adam Malik Hospital , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 8 (2024): August
- Cindy Giovanni, Nurita Dian Kestriani Saragi Sitio, Role of Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) in Patients with Guillain Barre Syndrome with Severe Community Pneumonia in The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 3 (2024): March
- Geeta Maharani Ariaty, Budiana Rismawan, Management of Intra-Abdominal Infection Patients with Septic Shock in the ICU , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 9 (2025): September
- Dian Irawati, Erwin Pradian, Management of Severe Head Injury Patients with Concurrent Metabolic Disorders, Hyperkalemia, Stage III Acute Kidney Injury, and Suspected Alcohol Intoxication Using Renal Replacement Therapy in ICU , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 11 (2025): November
- Rachmad Try Hendro, Osmond Muftilov Pison, Management of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Due to Transfusion-Related Acute Lung Injury and Pulmonary Contusion in a Patient with Moderate Head Injury Post-Craniotomy Decompression, Epidural Hematoma, and Posterolateral Rib Fractures 2-6 , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 7 (2025): July
<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >>
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.