Labetalol to Prevent Hypertension and Tachycardia During Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy
Labetalol to Prevent Hypertension and Tachycardia During Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy
Passing a bronchoscope through the airways frequently causes a stress response even though
 patients are sedated. This stress response is usually an increase in pulse and blood
 pressure, which may have undesirable effects on the heart and circulation.

 We plan to give patients labetalol (a beta blocker which reduces pulse and blood pressure) in
 addition to normal sedation, to patients undergoing bronchoscopy in our department.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  All patients over 18 years old undergo fiberoptic bronchoscopy in our unit

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  inability or refusal to give informed consent

 -  bronchoscopy through an artificial airway

 -  intolerance or allergy to the study drug

 -  bradycardia (HR<60/min) or hypotension (systolic BP <100) at screening

 -  pregnancy,

 -  concomitant treatment with diltiazem or verapamil

 -  intention to use propofol as the sedative agent for bronchoscopy.