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An overwhelming majority (87 percent) of 231 British bronchoscopists surveyed reported that they used an anticholinergic drug; 71 percent used atropine, and 16 percent used scopolamine. The mail survey in the United Kingdom revealed that 47 percent of the bronchoscopists used a sedative premedication 30 min or more before the procedure. Sedation Intravenous access for possible administration of drugs was obtained before bronchoscopy routinely by 76.7 percent (668) of the 871 respondents, sometimes by 8.3 percent (72), and rarely by 11.7 percent (102); no response was given by 3.3 percent (29). During bronchoscopy, intravenous sedation was used routinely by 50.7 percent (442), sometimes by 23.2 percent (202), and rarely by 23.8 percent (207); no response was provided by 2.3 percent (20). Table 4 lists the various intravenous sedatives listed by the respondents. Comments: Even though the necessity for any sedation for bronchoscopy has been questioned, the amnesia produced by drugs such as midazolam is a desirable effect that is greatly appreciated by anxious patients. A controlled double-blind study reported that patients preferred intravenous benzodiazepine to placebo. Table 4—Intravenous Sedatives Used

Sedative	Respondents,  %(n)
Midazolam (Versed)	48.1 (419)
Diazepam (Valium)	24.5 (213)
Meperidine (Demerol)	5.7 (50)
Fentanyl (Sublimaze)	3.6 (31)
Morphine	3.6 (31)
Lorazepam (Ativan)	0.7 (6)
Otherf	1.7 (15)
	87.3 (761)