Safety of moderate-to-deep sedation performed by sedation practitioners: A national prospective observational study

Bispectral index monitoring for sedation in scheduled adult colonoscopy: A randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Patients should be closely monitored during procedures under sedation outside the operating room, but it is unclear which type of monitoring is best. We investigated the efficacy and safety of BIS monitoring vs conventional monitoring for sedation during colonoscopy.

METHODS

We performed a double-blind clinical trial in 180 patients undergoing elective colonoscopy. Patients were randomized to 1) the BIS group or 2) a control group, in which sedation was monitored with a BIS monitor or the Ramsay Sedation Score, respectively. The primary outcome was the rate of sedation-induced adverse events in both groups. Secondary outcomes were the characteristics of patients who developed adverse events, and time during colonoscopy when these events occurred, propofol and remifentanil dosage, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed fewer cardiopulmonary complications in the BIS group (41.11% vs 57.78% in controls; p = 0.02). Multivariate analysis found a significantly higher risk of adverse events in older patients (95% CI, 1.013-1.091; p = 0.0087) and in men (95% CI, 1.129-7.668; p = 0.0272). These events were observed at the hepatic flexure. No significant differences between propofol or remifentanil dosage, use of rescue medication, and patient satisfaction were observed between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that BIS monitoring during sedation in scheduled colonoscopies reduces adverse respiratory events. Although its routine use in sedation does not appear to be warranted, clinicians should take steps to identify patients with a higher risk of complications who might benefit from this type of monitoring.

Analysis of Sedation Accident Records Available in the Japan Council for Quality Health Care Public Database

OBJECTIVE

Medical accidents occur frequently. However, only a few studies have been conducted on sedation-related medical accidents. This study aimed to classify sedation accidents and analyze their causes using the (Patient-management Software Hardware Environment Livewear (P-mSHELL) model.

METHODS

The Japan Council for Quality Health Care database on medical accidents was used. Sedation accidents that occurred during procedures between January 2010 and June 2022 were included. After examining the accident details for several variables, the accident factors were classified by factors in the P-mSHELL model, and statistical analyses, including multivariate analysis of each factor and outcome (presence or absence of residual disability), were conducted.

RESULTS

Regarding the influence of the P-mSHELL factors on outcome, P factor (odds ratio = 6.347, 95% confidence interval = 2.000, 20.144) was a factor for having disability. There was a significant association between outcome and accident timing (that is, preoperative, intraoperative, or postoperative; p =0.01). No significant association was found between the outcomes and types of drugs used (p =1, 0.722, 0.594); however, there was a significant association between the incidence of respiratory depression and multiple drug use (p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

To prevent sedation accidents, it is important to monitor patients throughout the perioperative period. However, it is especially important to know the patient's condition in advance, and strict postoperative management is essential, especially for high-risk patients, to prevent serious accidents.

Effects of adding low-dose esketamine to sufentanil and propofol sedation during cervical conization: a single-centre, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Cervical conization is a brief but painful procedure that can be performed under sufficient sedation with propofol and opioids. However, this sedation approach comes with a high risk of sedation-related adverse events (SRAEs). Esketamine, an N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, causes less cardiorespiratory depression than opioids. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of adding a low dose of esketamine to propofol and sufentanil sedation as an opioid-reduced regimen.

METHODS

A total of 122 consecutive patients with ASA I-II, body mass index < 30, and STOP-BANG score < 3 who underwent cervical conization were enrolled and randomly divided into Group S and Group ES. Using a closed-loop target-controlled infusion (TCI) pump with a target bispectral index (BIS) value of 60 ± 5, patients in Group S were sedated with 0.2 mcg·kg-1 sufentanil and propofol, while patients in Group ES were sedated with 0.15 mg·kg-1 esketamine, 0.1 mcg·kg-1 sufentanil and propofol. The primary outcome was the incidence and severity of SRAEs, while the secondary outcomes included effectiveness of sedation, awakening time, psychotomimetic side effects, postoperative pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and patient and gynaecologist satisfaction.

RESULTS

Data from 120 patients were analysed. The incidence of composite SRAEs was significantly higher in Group S than in Group ES (85.0% vs. 56.7%, P < 0.05). Furthermore, the severity of SRAEs was higher in Group S than in Group ES (P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in the effectiveness of sedation, awakening time, psychotomimetic side effects, postoperative pain, postoperative nausea and vomiting, or patient and gynaecologist satisfaction between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Adding low-dose esketamine to propofol and sufentanil sedation reduces the incidence and severity of SRAEs in patients undergoing cervical conization, with equal sedation efficacy, recovery quality, and no additional psychomimetic side effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ChiCTR2000040457 , 28/11/2020.

The Current Situation of Anaesthesia for Hysteroscopy in Mainland China: A National Survey

Purpose: The need for anaesthesia or analgesia for performing hysteroscopy remains debatable. This study aimed to conduct an overview of the situation of anaesthesia for hysteroscopy in mainland China. Methods: Two questionnaires were separately designed for anaesthesiologists and gynaecologists and distributed to every medical institution that performed hysteroscopic procedures on patients with infertility in mainland China. Electronic questionnaires were distributed via WeChat, and data on anaesthesia regimen, monitoring parameters, procedure number, and other information were collected. Results: Reproductive technology is conducted by 536 institutions in mainland China. The survey received 491 responses from anaesthetists (91.6%) and 436 from gynaecologists (81.3%). In 2021, 552,225 hysteroscopies were conducted in 268 medical centres. The average percentage of hysteroscopy under anaesthesia is 63.8% in 2021, wherein 47.3% of institutions have an anaesthesia percentage of >75%. Propofol and opioid analgesics, such as fentanyl and sufentanil, were the most commonly used intravenous anaesthetics. All sedations were performed by anaesthesiologists. Monitoring parameters included pulse oxygen saturation (98.9%), electrocardiogram (91.6%) and noninvasive blood pressure (91.3%). An anaesthesiologist-to-operating room ratio of <1 was observed in 31.3% of medical institutions. Surprisingly, 52.4% of medical institutions performing hysteroscopy had no postanaesthesia care unit (PACU). Most institutions with PACU were equipped with independent oxygen sources, suction and monitors. Both rigid and flexible hysteroscopes (rigid hysteroscope, 45.1%; flexible hysteroscope, 4.5%; both types, 50.4%) were used, and the hysteroscopic diameter was ≤5 mm in 60.3% of medical centres. Conclusions: China performs a large number of hysteroscopies, and sedation is the most frequently used anesthesia regimen. However, issues such as inadequate emergency support devices, insufficient personnel and weak resuscitation management after anaesthesia, have been observed.

Optimization of procedural sedation and analgesia during atrial fibrillation ablation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This mini-review is aimed to provide an overview and discuss procedural sedation and analgesia for atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation with focus at qualification of staff, patient evaluation, monitoring, medication and postprocedural care.

RECENT FINDINGS

Sleep-disordered breathing is highly prevalent in patients with AF. Impact of often used STOP-BANG questionnaire to detect sleep-disordered breathing in AF patients is limited due to its restricted validity. Dexmedetomidine is a commonly used drug in sedation, but is shown not to be superior to propofol in sedation during AF-ablation. Alternatively use of remimazolam has characteristics that makes it a promising drug for minimal to moderate sedation for AF-ablation. High flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) has shown to reduce the risk of desaturation in adults receiving procedural sedation and analgesia.

SUMMARY

An optimal sedation strategy during AF ablation should be based on AF patient characteristics, the level of sedation needed, the procedure (duration and type of ablation) and the education and experience of the sedation provider. Patient evaluation and post procedural care are part of sedation care. More personalized care based on use of various sedation strategies and types of drugs as related to the type of AF-ablation is the way to further optimize care.

High-flow nasal cannula versus standard low-flow nasal cannula during deep sedation in patients undergoing radiofrequency atrial fibrillation catheter ablation: a single-centre randomised controlled trial

Background

To our knowledge, there are few trials studying the effect of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) during deep sedation. Our hypothesis is that high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) will prevent hypoxemia and desaturation as compared to low-flow nasal cannula (LFNC) during prolonged deep sedation in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA).

Methods

A single-centre, randomised controlled trial with HFNC as the intervention and LFNC as the control group. A total of 94 adult patients per group undergoing elective radiofrequency atrial fibrillation catheter ablation under deep sedation. will be included. The primary outcome is the lowest oxygen saturation (SpO2). Secondary outcomes are as follows: the duration of lowest SpO2, cross over from oxygen therapy in both directions, incidence of SpO2 below 90% > 60 seconds, adverse sedation events, adverse effects of HFNC, mean CO2, peak CO2 and patients experience with oxygen therapy. The study will take place during the 2-day admission period for RFCA. Patients can fill out their questionnaires in the first week after treatment.

Discussion

HFNC is increasingly used as a technique for oxygen delivery in procedural sedation and analgesia. We hypothesise that HFNC is superior to the standard treatment LFNC in patients under deep sedation with respect to the incidence of desaturation. To our knowledge, there are no adequately powered clinical trial studies on the effects of HFNC in prolonged deep sedation.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04842253. Registered on 04 April 2021

Postoperative Outcomes Associated With Procedural Sedation Conducted by Physician and Nonphysician Anesthesia Providers: Findings From the Prospective, Observational African Surgical Outcomes Study

BACKGROUND

There is an unmet need for essential surgical services in Africa. Limited anesthesia services are a contributing factor. Nonphysician anesthesia providers are utilized to assist with providing anesthesia and procedural sedation to make essential surgeries available. There is a paucity of data on outcomes following procedural sedation for surgery in Africa. We investigated the postoperative outcomes following procedural sedation by nonphysicians and physicians in Africa. We hypothesized that the level of training of the sedation provider may be associated with the incidence of severe postoperative complications and death.

METHODS

A secondary analysis of a prospective cohort of inhospital adult surgical patients representing 25 African countries was performed. The primary outcome was a collapsed composite of inhospital severe postoperative complications and death. We assessed the association between receiving procedural sedation conducted by a nonphysician (versus physician) and the composite outcome using logistic regression. We used the inverse probability of treatment weighting propensity score method to adjust for potential confounding variables including patient age, hemoglobin level, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physiological status, diabetes mellitus, urgency of surgery, severity of surgery, indication for surgery, surgical discipline, seniority of the surgical team, hospital level of specialization, and hospital funding system using public or private funding. All patients who only received procedural sedation for surgery were included.

RESULTS

Three hundred thirty-six patients met the inclusion criteria, of which 98 (29.2%) received sedation from a nonphysician provider. The incidence of severe postoperative complications and death was 10 of 98 (10.2%) in the nonphysician group and 5 of 238 (2.1%) in the physician group. The estimated association between procedural sedation conducted by a nonphysician provider and inhospital outcomes was an 8-fold increase in the odds of severe complications and/or death, with an odds ratio (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 8.3 (2.7-25.6).

CONCLUSIONS

The modest number of observations in this secondary data analysis suggests that shifting the task of procedural sedation from physicians to nonphysicians to increase access to care may be associated with severe postoperative complications and death in Africa. Research focusing on identifying factors contributing to adverse outcomes associated with procedural sedation is necessary to make this practice safer.

Sedation-Led chEmotherapy Evades Pain (S.L.E.E.P.)

Chemotherapy and other invasive therapies are often limited by side effects, pain and negative experiences that can limit adherence to the therapy itself. Such negative components add to the patient's depressive state due to the disease. This research project proposes the use of deep sedation during chemotherapy sessions or other disabling therapies in the treatment of tumors or other severe diseases. The proposed protocol provides for an ad hoc hospitalization which could be during the night, during the day or limited to a few hours. Administration during sleep eliminates the memory and the negative impact the treatment has on the rest of the patient's daily life. This approach also agrees with the evidence of the circadian rhythm of cellular repair processes, which is greater at sunrise and sunset and linked to a good quantity and quality of sleep. In conclusion, this project aims to reduce the negative impact and increase the adherence to and efficacy of the therapy itself.

Patient satisfaction with deep versus light/moderate sedation for non-surgical procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Deep sedation relieves a patient's anxiety and stress during the procedure by inducing patient unconsciousness. However, it remains unclear whether deep sedation actually improves patient satisfaction with the procedure. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the satisfaction of patients undergoing deep sedation with that of those undergoing light/moderate sedation during non-surgical procedures.

METHODS

A comprehensive literature search was performed using electronic databases (search until September 2020). The primary outcome was whether patient satisfaction was higher after deep sedation or light/moderate sedation. The secondary outcome was the relative safety of deep sedation compared with light/moderate sedation in terms of oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, and heart rate. The tertiary outcomes were the relative procedure and recovery times for deep versus light/moderate sedation.Data from each of the trials were combined, and calculations were made using DerSimonian and Laird random effects models. The pooled effect estimates for patient satisfaction were evaluated using relative risk (RR) with the 95% confidence interval (CI). The pooled effect estimates for continuous data are expressed as weighted mean difference with the 95% CI. We assessed heterogeneity with the Cochrane Q statistic and the I2 statistic. The risk of bias assessment and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach were used as the quality assessment method.

RESULTS

After removing unrelated studies and applying the exclusion criterion, 5 articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in those who received deep sedation compared with light/moderate sedation (relative risk = 1.12; 95% CI, 1.04-1.20; P = .003; Cochrane Q = 25.0; I2 = 76%).There was no significant difference in oxygen saturation, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, and procedure times according to whether the procedures were performed under deep or light/moderate sedation. However, the recovery time was significantly prolonged in patients under deep sedation.

CONCLUSIONS

Our meta-analysis suggests that deep sedation resulted in improved patient satisfaction compared with light/moderate sedation. Deep sedation is recommended for patients undergoing procedures because it improves patient satisfaction. However, respiration and circulation should be carefully monitored both intra-operatively and postoperatively.

Induction and maintenance of procedural sedation in adults: focus on remimazolam injection

Introduction: Procedural sedation (PS) is a humane way to help patients get through painful medical procedures by the administration of sedative drugs combined with analgesics. However, each of the currently used medications has certain shortcomings, urging the search for a new drug. Remimazolam, a novel benzodiazepine, is an ultra-short-acting hypnotic agent invented out of the 'soft drug' development.Areas covered: This presented review provides an overview of the drugs used in clinical practice for the induction and maintenance of procedural sedation in adults, focusing on the newly investigated benzodiazepine remimazolam. Literature search was conducted using the MEDLINE and ClinicalTrial.gov databases from January 2007 to December 2020.Expert opinion: Based on the reported clinical trials so far, remimazolam has demonstrated its effectiveness and safety with promising properties including rapid onset, short duration of action, predictable and consistent recovery profile, metabolism almost unaffected by liver or renal function, with non or minimal cardiorespiratory depression, and availability with a reversal drug. With marketing approval received recently, remimazolam is expected to have a place in the practice for procedural sedation in the near future if its efficacy and safety are further confirmed by more clinical trials and post-market analyses.

Hypoxemia during procedural sedation in adult patients: a retrospective observational study

PURPOSE

Since 2010, new guidelines for procedural sedation and the Helsinki Declaration on Patient Safety have increased patient safety, comfort, and acceptance considerably. Nevertheless, the administration of sedatives and opioids during sedation procedures may put the patient at risk of hypoxemia. However, data on hypoxemia during procedural sedation are scarce. Here, we studied the incidence and severity of hypoxemia during procedural sedations in our hospital.

METHODS

A historical, single-centre cohort study was performed at the University Medical Centre Utrecht (UMCU), a tertiary centre in the Netherlands. Data from procedural sedation in our hospital between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2018 (3,459 males and 2,534 females; total, 5,993) were extracted from our Anesthesia Information Management System. Hypoxemia was defined as peripheral oxygen saturation < 90% lasting at least two consecutive minutes. The severity of hypoxemia was calculated as area under the curve. The relationship between the severity of hypoxemia and body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) Physical Status classification, and duration of the procedure was investigated. The primary outcome was the incidence of hypoxemia.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine percent of moderately to deeply sedated patients developed hypoxemia. A high incidence of hypoxemia was found in patients undergoing procedures in the heart catheterization room (54%) and in patients undergoing bronchoscopy procedures (56%). Hypoxemia primarily occurred in longer lasting procedures (> 120 min) and especially in the latter phases of the procedures. There was no relationship between severity of hypoxemia and BMI or ASA Physical Status.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that a considerable number of patients are at risk of hypoxemia during procedural sedation with a positive correlation shown with increasing duration of medical procedures. Additional prospective research is needed to investigate the clinical consequences of this cumulative hypoxemia.

Moderate-to-Deep Sedation Using Target-Controlled Infusions of Propofol and Remifentanil: Adverse Events and Risk Factors: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 2937 Procedures

BACKGROUND

In the University Medical Center Groningen in Groningen, the Netherlands, moderate-to-deep sedation is provided by nursing staff trained and supervised by the anesthesia department using protocol-based target-controlled infusions (TCIs) of propofol and remifentanil. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to investigate the incidence of events with potential adverse health consequences within this service model and the risk factors for the occurrence of these events.

METHODS

We retrospectively interrogated a database containing the computerized anesthetic records of 2937 procedures where moderate-to-deep sedation was provided using TCI administration of propofol and remifentanil between May 2014 and October 2017. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of sedation-related events with potential adverse health consequences and risk factors for the occurrence of such events. The events under investigation were unplanned intensive care unit (ICU) admission, need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), death on the day of the procedure due to sedation-related events, cardiovascular events (arrhythmias, hypertension, and hypotension), pulmonary events (aspiration, desaturation, unplanned tracheal intubation), anaphylactic or allergic reactions, and the termination of the procedure due to sedation-related events. Cardiovascular and pulmonary events were classified as severe, significant, or moderate. Events were identified by using computer algorithms to search the computerized records from all included procedures.

RESULTS

Data from 2937 procedures were analyzed. No patients suffered catastrophic events (death, need for CPR, or unplanned ICU admission). Thirty-two severe sedation-related events occurred in 32 procedures. Severe desaturation (0.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.4-0.9) and severe hypertension (0.2%; 95% CI, 0.04-0.37) were the most common severe events. Significant hypotension (8.8%; 95% CI, 7.73-9.77) and significant desaturation (1.6%; 95% CI, 1.12-2.02) were found to be the most common events with potential adverse health consequences. No patient suffered lasting health consequences. Average mean and maximum targeted effect-site concentrations (Cet) for propofol were 2.6 ± 0.83 and 3.3 ± 1.09 µg·mL, respectively, and for remifentanil 0.84 ± 0.18 and 0.99 ± 0.22 ng·mL, respectively. Maximum Cets of propofol were lower among patients with higher body mass index (BMI) and were higher among patients of younger age. Higher BMI was a risk factor for desaturation. Increased age and lower BMI were risk factors for hypotension. Longer procedure time was a risk factor for both desaturation and hypotension.

CONCLUSIONS

Moderate-to-deep sedation by propofol and remifentanil TCI has a low incidence of catastrophic and severe events.

Indications, contraindications, and safety aspects of procedural sedation

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

There is a steadily increasing demand for procedural sedation outside the operating room, frequently performed in comorbid high-risk adult patients. This review evaluates the feasibility and advantages of sedation vs. general anesthesia for some of these new procedures.

RECENT FINDINGS

Generally, sedation performed by experienced staff is safe. Although for some endoscopic or transcatheter interventions sedation is feasible, results of the intervention might be improved when performed under general anesthesia. For elected procedures like intra-arterial treatment after acute ischemic stroke, avoiding general anesthesia and sedation at all might be the optimal treatment.

SUMMARY

Anesthesiologists are facing continuously new indications for procedural sedation in sometimes sophisticated diagnostic or therapeutic procedures. Timely availability of anesthesia staff will mainly influence who is performing sedation, anesthesia or nonanesthesia personal. While the number of absolute contraindications for sedation decreased to almost zero, relative contraindications are becoming more relevant and should be tailored to the individual procedure and patient.

Results from the Adverse Event Sedation Reporting Tool: A Global Anthology of 7952 Records Derived from >160,000 Procedural Sedation Encounters

Background: The incidence of sedation-related adverse events, inclusive of both adults and children, administered by multiple specialty providers from different countries and venues, using standardized definitions, has never been reported on an international level. We are reporting the outcome data of the adverse event sedation reporting tool as an important step toward a more complete risk assessment of sedation-related morbidity, mortality, and etiology. The analysis of the AE sedation reporting data include descriptive measures to evaluate the characteristics of the provider, the patient, sedations performed, adverse events, interventions, and outcomes. The primary outcome was the rate and nature of adverse events. Between 12/14/2010 and 12/11/2018 there were 7952 sedations, from an estimated total of 164,114 sedations administered, of which 622 were reported as adverse events. The mean age of the entire patient population is 33.0 years (0.02–98.7). The providers represented 39 countries across six continents. Oxygen desaturation (75%–90%) for <60 s is the most prevalent adverse event with a rate of 7.8 per 10,000, followed by airway obstruction at a rate of 5.42 per 10,000. Apnea occurred at a rate of 4.75 per 10,000. Significant predictors of adverse events are ≥ ASA score III (p = 0.0003), procedure time (6:00 pm–12:00 am: p < 0.0001, 12:00–6:00 am: p = 0.0003), and non-hospital location (p < 0.0001). The AE sedation reporting tool has demonstrated that the majority of adverse events in children and adults who receive procedural sedation from multi-specialists internationally required minor interventions and had outcomes of minor risk.