Satisfaction and safety using dexmedetomidine or propofol sedation during endoscopic oesophageal procedures: A randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Dexmedetomidine possesses anxiolytic and hypnotic properties without respiratory side-effects, making it theoretically an ideal sedative agent for endoscopic procedures. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare satisfaction and safety among outpatients receiving sedation with dexmedetomidine or propofol for endoscopic oesophageal procedures. DESIGN: A randomised controlled study. SETTING: Endoscopic intervention suite at the Academic Medical Centre in Amsterdam, Netherlands. PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged at least 18 years, and American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status 1 to 3. INTERVENTION: Total 63 patients were randomised to receive either dexmedetomidine (D) or propofol (P). Pain was treated with alfentanil in both groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes were patients’ and endoscopists’ satisfaction levels measured by validated questionnaires (1 = very dissatisfied; 7 = highly satisfied). A secondary outcome was safety, determined by blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation during and after the procedure, and respiratory rate and noninvasive cardiac output during the procedure. RESULTS: Satisfaction of patients [median (IQR); group D, 5.0 (3.75 to 5.75) vs. group P, 6.25 (5.3 to 6.5)] and satisfaction of gastroenterologists [group D, 5.0 (4.4 to 5.8) vs. group P, 6.0 (5.4 to 6.0)] were lower in group D (both P 
Source: European Journal of Anaesthesiology - Category: Anesthesiology Tags: Pharmacology Source Type: research