The effects of flumazenil on alertness and hypoxia in elderly patients after ERCP

Comparison of high-flow nasal cannula and conventional nasal cannula during deep sedation for endoscopic submucosal dissection: a randomized controlled trial

PURPOSE

Adequate oxygenation and airway management during deep sedation can be challenging. We investigated the effect of high-flow nasal cannula (group HF) and conventional nasal cannula (group CO) during sedation for endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD).

METHODS

Patients undergoing ESD with deep sedation were enrolled. The primary outcome was difference in lowest oxygen saturation (SpO2) between the groups. Incidence of hypoxia (SpO2 < 90%), patients with SpO2 < 95%, hypercapnia, and airway interventions; operator satisfaction; and adverse events were recorded.

RESULTS

Thirty-two patients in each group completed the study. The mean of minimum SpO2 values was significantly higher in group HF than in group CO (96.8% ± 4.2% vs. 93.3% ± 5.3%, p = 0.005). The incidence of hypoxia was comparable between the groups (4 [12.5%] vs. 6 [18.8%], p = 0.491); however, patients with SpO2 < 95% were significantly less in group HF (5 [15.6%] vs. 18 [56.3%], p = 0.003). Incidence of hypercapnia was higher in group HF than in group CO (14 [46.7%] vs. 5 [16.7%], p = 0.013). Airway rescue interventions were significantly less common in group HF. Satisfaction of operators and post-procedural complications were comparable between the two groups. In multivariable analysis, group CO and higher body mass index were risk factors for airway managements (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 6.204 [1.784-21.575], p = 0.004; 1.337 [1.043-1.715], p = 0.022, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared to conventional nasal cannula, high-flow nasal cannula maintained higher minimum SpO2 value during deep sedation with propofol-remifentanil for ESD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trial Registry of the Republic of Korea (KCT0006618, https://cris.nih.go.kr ; registered September 29, 2021; principal investigator: Ji Won Choi).

Efficacy of an Oxycodone-Propofol Combination versus a Fentanyl-Propofol Combination in Conscious Sedation during Therapeutic Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography in Elderly Patients

BACKGROUND

With a rapidly aging population, the need for endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is increasing. The commonly used sedation anesthesia in ERCP is a combination of propofol and fentanyl, even though fentanyl may cause some adverse reactions such as respiratory depression.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oxycodone combined with propofol versus fentanyl combined with propofol for sedation anesthesia during ERCP.

METHODS

A total of 193 patients aged from 65 to 80 years undergoing ERCP were enrolled and randomized into two groups: an "oxycodone combined with propofol" group (group OP, n = 97) and a "fentanyl combined with propofol" group (group FP, n = 96). The rate of perioperative adverse events as well as the recovery time, patients' satisfaction, and endoscopists' satisfaction were noted.

RESULTS

There was no difference in the frequency of hypotension or bradycardia between the two groups, but there were more episodes of desaturation (SpO2 <90% for >10 s in 8.3%), postoperative nausea (7.3%), and vomiting (5.2%) in group FP than in group OP. Patients' satisfaction in group FP was lower than that in group OP. The recovery time was longer in group FP than in group OP.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxycodone combined with propofol was effective in ERCP, with a low incidence of perioperative adverse events.

More than half of hypoxemia cases occurred during the recovery period after completion of esophagogastroduodenoscopy with planned moderate sedation

Guidelines advise precautionary measures for possible adverse events that may occur due to sedation during endoscopic procedures. To avoid complications, intraprocedural and postprocedural monitoring during recovery is considered important. However, since not many studies have reported on hypoxemia during the recovery period, findings for specific monitoring methods are insufficient. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the incidence of hypoxemia during the recovery period using continuous central-monitoring by pulse oximetry and to characterize the hypoxemia cases. Among the 4065 consecutive esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) procedures under planned moderate sedation, 84 (2.1%) procedures developed unexpected hypoxemia (SpO₂ ≤ 90%). Hypoxemia was observed during the procedure, at the end of the procedure, and during the recovery period in 21, 17, and 46 (1.1%) procedures, respectively. More than half of the hypoxemia cases occurred during the recovery period. Many hypoxemia cases were characterized by neither serious co-morbid illness nor low body mass index which have been reported as risk factors of hypoxemia. The lack of risk factors is no guarantee that hypoxemia will not occur. Therefore, continuous monitoring by pulse oximetry is more important during the recovery period and is recommended in all EGD procedures under planned moderate sedation.

Endoscopy in the elderly: a review of the efficacy and safety of colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

Gastrointestinal endoscopy including colonoscopy, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are safe and efficacious in elderly patients. Screening colonoscopies have little efficacy in patients over 80 years. Colonoscopies performed for bleeding or iron-deficiency anemia have a higher yield in elderly patients. Colonic preparations were well tolerated and colonoscopic success rates are high in elderly patients. However, poor colonic preparation is more likely in these patients. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy is a high-yield procedure with no significant increase in adverse events in patients over 80 years with symptoms including dyspepsia and dysphagia. ERCP in the elderly carries a high degree of success with low complication rates. Elderly patients undergoing ERCP carry similar risks of bleeding and perforation and a lower risk of pancreatitis compared with younger patients. Advanced age should not be regarded as an absolute contraindication to any gastrointestinal endoscopy procedure.