Using bronchoscopy to treat aspiration pneumonia in the emergency department

FBS-ASaP: Fibrobronchoscopy in ASpiration Pneumonia in the Emergency Department

Observational Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi · NCT06511583

This study is testing if using a special camera to clear mucus from the lungs helps people with aspiration pneumonia in the emergency department feel better compared to the usual method.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment100 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorAzienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi Academic / other
Locations1 site (Florence, Tuscany/Italy)
Trial IDNCT06511583 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational pilot study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using fibrobronchoscopy for aspiration pneumonia in patients visiting the Emergency Department. It will create a registry of patients diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia who require aspiration of secretions, comparing outcomes between those treated with bronchoscopy and those treated with traditional laryngotracheal aspiration. The study will last for three years and will begin after receiving ethical committee approval.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates include adult patients diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia who require aspiration of secretions in the Emergency Department.

Not a fit: Patients who are under 18 years old, pregnant, or have severe airway obstruction will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could improve treatment outcomes for patients with aspiration pneumonia by identifying the most effective aspiration technique.

How similar studies have performed: While this approach is observational, similar studies have shown promise in evaluating bronchoscopy techniques for respiratory conditions.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

All adult patients who access the Emergency Department with a diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia and for whom the referring physician determines the need for aspiration of secretions or ingesta. Patients must have at least one of the following criteria

* Radiological evidence of pneumonia (Chest X-ray/CT scan/Chest ultrasound)
* Clinical diagnosis of aspiration pneumonia
* Presence of secretions in the upper airways
* Respiratory distress in a dysphagic patient
* Need for oxygen therapy or need to increase FiO2 in patients already on home oxygen therapy

Exclusion Criteria:

* Lack of consent
* Age \< 18 years
* Pregnancy
* Hemorrhagic diathesis
* Malignant cardiac arrhythmias (VT, AV block excluding first-degree AV block)
* Severe airway obstruction

Where this trial is running

Florence, Tuscany/Italy

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Aspiration PneumoniaBronchoscopyAspiration pneumoniatoiletteinterventional pulmunologyrespiratory failurepneumoniabacterial pneumonia
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.