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
- Radian Ahmad Halimi, Ardi Zulfariansyah, Post-Operative Management for Craniotomy Decompression in Cerebral Edema Patients Due to Cerebral Infarction in The Right Carotic System which Occurred Cerebral Vasospasm , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 4 (2024): April
- Romi Ridwan, Ezra Oktaliansyah, Case Series of Guillain Barre Syndrome with Plasmaparesis in The ICU Bandung Hospital , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 4 (2024): April
- Bramantyo Pamugar, Dhany Budipratama, Lung Protective Strategy in Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome with Approach of Compliance and Mechanical Power , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 2 No. 10 (2023): October
- Batian Lubis, Dis Bima P Purwaamidjaja, Mayang Indah Lestari, Faisal, Muhammad Husni Thamrin, Febri Akhmad Belinda, A Case Series of Bleeding Complication Post Percutaneous Dilatational Tracheostomy and Management , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 2 No. 12 (2023): December
- M. Khairul Aswin Saragih, Amira P. Tarigan, The Association of Electric Cigarette Using Period with Respiratory Symptoms in Male E-Cigarette User , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 3 No. 8 (2024): August
- Samuel Ndlovu, Thabo Mokoena, Lerato Khumalo , Independent Determinants of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Critically Ill Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 5 No. 4 (2026): April
- Maulana Taufik, Dadik Wahyu Wijaya, Andriamuri Primaputra Lubis, The Relationship Between The Characteristics of COVID-19 Patients To Predict Mortality in The COVID-19 ICU Special Care , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 1 No. 1 (2022): October
- Bernadeth Bernadeth, Muchammad Erias Erlangga, Management of a Critically Ill Post-Cesarean Section Patient with Antepartum Hemorrhage Due to Placenta Previa Totalis in a G2P1A0 at 27–28 Weeks Gestation with Severe Preeclampsia, HELLP Syndrome, Pulmonary Edema, Stage 2 Acute Kidney Injury, and Hypoalbuminemia , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 4 No. 7 (2025): July
- Wachyoe Hadi Saputra , Agus Prima, Wirdah Wirdah, Clinical Utility of Procalcitonin for Stratifying Severity in Sepsis Secondary to Pneumonia , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026): January
- Adhika Syaputra, Dadik Wahyu Wijaya, Achsanuddin Hanafie, Patterns of Antibiotic Use in The One Hour Bundle Treatment of Sepsis , Journal of Society Medicine: Vol. 1 No. 3 (2022): December
<< < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 > >>
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.