Cerebral oximetry monitoring in non-intubated patients undergoing endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography under propofol-induced sedation: a prospective observational study

Background

Prolonged propofol-induced deep sedation increases the risk for sedation-related complications. Cerebral oximetry enables prompt assessment of tissue oxygenation by demonstrating the regional hemoglobin oxygen saturation (rSO₂) of the cerebral cortex. This study aimed to: evaluate cerebral oxygenation under deep sedation during an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure; determine the cerebral desaturation event (CDE) rate; and assess the predictive capacity of CDEs for sedation-related complications.

Methods

All consecutive patients who underwent ERCP between September and December 2019 were included prospectively. Propofol monotherapy was used and sedation level was assessed using the bispectral index (BIS). The target level of sedation was deep sedation, defined by BIS values 40-60. Participants were monitored with arterial blood gas analysis and INVOS 5100C cerebral oximeter. RSO₂ values were registered prior to sedation (baseline value), every 5 min during the sedation period and at recovery of consciousness. BIS values were recorded simultaneously. CDE was defined as a drop >10% from individual baseline rSO₂.

Results

Sixty patients were enrolled. Mean baseline rSO₂ was 65.1% and BIS values ranged from 18-85. No significant correlation was observed between mean rSO₂ measurements and mean BIS values throughout the recordings (P = 0.193). Data from patients aged ≥65 years were analyzed separately and the results were similar. The CDE rate was 2.7%, but no CDE was associated with clinical manifestations. Twelve sedation-related complications occurred without the presence of cerebral desaturation.

Conclusion

Cerebral oxygenation remained independent of changes in sedation depth and cerebral oximetry monitoring did not detect complications earlier than standard monitors.

Sixty- versus thirty-seconds papillary balloon dilation after sphincterotomy for the treatment of large bile duct stones: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy followed by endoscopic papillary balloon dilation is a promising method for large stones. However, there are no data on the optimal duration of papillary balloon dilation after a biliary sphincterotomy.

AIMS

To compare the effectiveness and complications of the endoscopic papillary balloon dilation for 60s versus 30s after endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy.

METHODS

A total of 124 patients with bile duct stones, submitted for endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy plus endoscopic papillary balloon dilation, were prospectively randomized to either the 60-s dilation group (G60, n = 60) or the 30-s dilation group (G30, n = 64).

RESULTS

The complete removal of bile duct stones was similar: group G30, 55/64 (86%) versus group G60, 51/60 (85%); p = 0.9. The rates of post-endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography pancreatitis were also similar: 2 (3.1%) in group G30 versus 2 (3.3%) in group G60, p = 0.9. Post-procedural bleeding occurred in 2 cases (3.1%) in group G30 versus 4 (6.6%) in group G60, (p = 0.17). Two perforations of moderate severity were observed, one in each group.

CONCLUSIONS

30-s papillary balloon dilation, performed after endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy for the management of bile duct stones, was equally effective to the 60-s papillary balloon dilation.

Remifentanil, a different opioid: potential clinical applications and safety aspects

IMPORTANCE OF THE FIELD

Opioids play an important role in every aspect of modern anesthetic practice. Remifentanil is an ultra-short-acting opioid featuring a unique pharmacokinetic profile allowing clinical versatility and improved control of its action. In this review, we assess the pharmacology of remifentanil, its clinical uses as well as safety issues on its action on the major organ systems and in particular clinical settings.

AREAS COVERED IN THIS REVIEW

A synthesis of evidence from a MEDLINE search for articles from 1993 to 2009 for available up-to-date information on remifentanil and its current applications and safety profile.

WHAT THE READER WILL GAIN

A synopsis of the unique pharmacokinetic properties of remifentanil and its action on major organ systems will provide insight on the safe and effective use of the drug in a variety of clinical settings.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Remifentanil is a valuable opioid in the armamentarium of the clinician, providing great clinical flexibility and safety but vigilance is required to avoid pitfalls.

Synergistic sedation with oral midazolam as a premedication and intravenous propofol versus intravenous propofol alone in upper gastrointestinal endoscopies in children: a prospective, randomized study

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the present study was to compare the required dose of intravenous (IV) propofol between group A (synergistic sedation with an oral dose of midazolam combined with IV propofol) and group B (IV propofol alone), in diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE) in pediatric patients. The secondary objective was to compare the safety, the efficacy, the ease of IV line placement and the ease of separation from parents between the 2 groups.

METHODS

Fifty-four consecutive children (aged 3 y or older) who underwent UGIE were randomly assigned to 1 of the 2 medication regimens. Patients in group A (n = 26, mean age: 8.1 y) received midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) orally. Thirty minutes after the midazolam dose was given, repeated IV doses of propofol 0.5 mg/kg were administered titrated to achieve the level of deep sedation. Patients in group B (n = 28, mean age: 9 y) received IV propofol alone with the same methodology and sedation end point.

RESULTS

The mean dose (1.8 +/- 0.7 mg/kg) of propofol administered in group A patients was remarkably lower compared with that (2.9 +/- 0.9 mg/kg) of group B. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that among sex, age, ASA grade and the type of sedation, the synergistic sedation was the only factor associated with the ease of IV line placement (chi(2) = 16.3, P < 0.001) and the ease of separation from parents (chi(2) = 41.6, P < 0.001). Additional multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that among sex, age, ASA grade and the type of sedation, synergistic sedation was the only factor associated with a higher level of patient comfort (chi(2) = 35.5, P < 0.001). The recovery time was significantly shorter in group B patients (7.7 +/- 3.6 min) compared with that of group A (25.9 +/- 4.1 minutes) (P < 0.01). The 2 regimens were equally safe.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that synergistic sedation with an oral dose of midazolam combined with propofol may benefit the children who undergo UGIE with regard to lower mean dose of propofol used, easier IV line placement, easier separation from the parents, less pain induced by the IV line placement and greater patient comfort.

Synergistic sedation with midazolam and propofol versus midazolam and pethidine in colonoscopies: a prospective, randomized study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to compare the safety and efficacy of the synergistic sedation with a low dose of midazolam combined with propofol versus the standard regimen of midazolam and pethidine for conscious sedation in colonoscopy in a group of patients that included a sufficient number of elderly patients with several comorbidities.

METHODS

A total of 120 consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy in a prospective study were randomly assigned to one of two medication regimens (55 patients were over 65 yr). Patients in group A (n = 64) received i.v. 2 mg (<70 kg b.w.) or 3 mg (>70 kg b.w.) of midazolam and a median dose of 80 mg of propofol (range 40-150). Patients in group B (n = 56) received i.v. a median dose of 5 mg of midazolam (range 3-7) and 75 mg of pethidine (range 50-125). The patient's comfort level was assessed by a 4-point scale 24 h after the procedure. The time to recover from sedation was assessed at 5, 10, and 30 min after the procedure by using the Aldrete score.

RESULTS

Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that among sex, age, duration of the test, American Society of Anesthesiologists' Physical Status Classification grade, and the sort of sedation, the synergistic sedation with midazolam and propofol was the only factor associated with a higher level of patient comfort (chi2 = 5.5, p < 0.05). Additional multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that among sex, age, duration of the test, American Society of Anesthesiologists' Physical Status Classification grade, and the sort of sedation, the synergistic sedation with midazolam and propofol was the only factor associated with a quicker patient recovery time (chi2 = 24.5, p < 0.01; chi2 = 51.7, p < 0.01; chi2 = 148.4, p < 0.01 for Aldrete in 10 min, 20 min, and 30 min, respectively). The endoscopist's evaluation of patient sedation and cardiorespiratory parameters were similar in both groups and in all age groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that the synergistic sedation with a low dose of midazolam combined with propofol was superior to a standard combination of midazolam and the opioid pethidine for colonoscopies as far as the patient comfort and recovery times are concerned.