Duration-Dependent Risk of Hypoxemia in Colonoscopy Procedures

Background and Aims: Colonoscopy is a critical diagnostic and therapeutic procedure in gastroenterology. However, it carries risks, including hypoxemia, which can impact patient safety. Understanding the factors that contribute to the incidence of severe hypoxemia, specifically the role of procedure duration, is essential for improving patient outcomes. This study aims to elucidate the relationship between the length of colonoscopy procedures and the occurrence of severe hypoxemia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study at Sheba Medical Center, Israel, including 21,524 adult patients who underwent colonoscopy from January 2020 to January 2024. The study focused on the incidence of severe hypoxemia, defined as a drop in oxygen saturation below 90%. Sedation protocols, involving a combination of Fentanyl, Midazolam, and Propofol were personalized based on the endoscopist’s discretion. Data were collected from electronic health records, covering patient demographics, clinical scores, sedation and procedure details, and outcomes. Statistical analyses, including logistic regression, were used to examine the association between procedure duration and hypoxemia, adjusting for various patient and procedural factors. Results: We initially collected records of 26,569 patients who underwent colonoscopy, excluding 5045 due to incomplete data, resulting in a final cohort of 21,524 patients. Procedures under 20 min comprised 48.9% of the total, while those lasting 20–40 min made up 50.7%. Only 8.5% lasted 40–60 min, and 2.9% exceeded 60 min. Longer procedures correlated with higher hypoxemia risk: 17.3% for <20 min, 24.2% for 20–40 min, 32.4% for 40–60 min, and 36.1% for ≥60 min. Patients aged 60–80 and ≥80 had increased hypoxemia odds (aOR 1.1, 95% CI 1.0–1.2 and aOR 1.2, 95% CI 1.0–1.4, respectively). Procedure durations of 20–40 min, 40–60 min, and over 60 min had aORs of 1.5 (95% CI 1.4–1.6), 2.1 (95% CI 1.9–2.4), and 2.4 (95% CI 2.0–3.0), respectively. Conclusions: The duration of colonoscopy procedures significantly impacts the risk of severe hypoxemia, with longer durations associated with higher risks. This study underscores the importance of optimizing procedural efficiency and tailoring sedation protocols to individual patient risk profiles to enhance the safety of colonoscopy. Further research is needed to develop strategies that minimize procedure duration without compromising the quality of care, thereby reducing the risk of hypoxemia and improving patient safety.