Yield and safety of bedside open lung biopsy in mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Background: The utility of open lung biopsy (OLB) in mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) of unknown origin has been questioned because of its potentially low diagnostic yield and possibly related morbidity. To quantify possible benefits and risks, and especially so for bedside lung biopsy, we reviewed retrospectively our 8-year, single unit experience with this procedure.

Methods: Mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients with acute respiratory failure of unknown origin who underwent OLB were analyzed in a retrospective, single-center, cohort study in a medical intensive care unit in a university medical center.