Anesthetic Implications of Prolonged Apneic Breath Hold During Robotic Bronchoscopy

Authors

• Bianca Elias, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine Medical Student
• Roy Soto, Corewell Health East

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-18-2026

Abstract

Apneic breath hold techniques are increasingly used during robotic bronchoscopy to optimize procedural stability and lesion targeting. We present a 62-year-old patient undergoing robotic-assisted monarch bronchoscopy for biopsy of pulmonary mass who underwent a prolonged apneic breath hold of approximately 20 minutes. After resumption of ventilation, end-tidal carbon dioxide exceeded 100 mmHg. The patient subsequently demonstrated delayed emergence and anisocoria. The stroke team was activated. Head CT was negative for acute stroke, and the patient had no persistent neurologic deficits. This case highlights severe hypercapnia during prolonged apnea and reviews carbon dioxide accumulation and anesthetic considerations during advanced bronchoscopic procedures.

Comments

American Society of Anesthesiologists, The Anesthesiology Meeting, October 16-20, 2026, San Diego, CA

Recommended Citation

Elias B, Soto R. Anesthetic implications of prolonged apneic breath hold during robotic bronchoscopy. Presented at: American Society of Anesthesiologists, The Anesthesiology Meeting; 2026 Oct 18; San Diego, CA. Available from: https://www.abstractsonline.com/pp8/#!/21448/presentation/7298