Efficacy and Tolerability of Sufentanil, Dexmedetomidine, or Ketamine Added to Propofol-based Sedation for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Elderly Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE

To investigate the optimal agent combined with propofol for sedation in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy.

METHODS

A total of 120 elderly patients scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopy under propofol-based sedation were randomly allocated to receive propofol + saline (control group), propofol + sufentanil 0.1 μg/kg, propofol + dexmedetomidine 0.4 μg/kg, or propofol + ketamine 0.4 mg/kg. Mean arterial pressure, heart rate, pulse oximetry, pressure of end-tidal carbon dioxide, respiratory rate, and Ramsay sedation scale score were recorded. Induction time, procedure time, recovery time, propofol dose, and adverse events were also recorded.

FINDINGS

During the sedation procedure, the AUC of HR was lowest in the propofol + dexmedetomidine group (all, P < 0.05), and the AUC of pulse oximetry was significantly higher in the propofol + dexmedetomidine and propofol + ketamine groups compared to the other 2 groups (both, P < 0.05). The propofol + dexmedetomidine group had the highest prevalences of hypotension and bradycardia, and the control group experienced the largest number of hypoxia episodes (all, P < 0.05). The control group consumed the highest dose of propofol, while the propofol + ketamine group needed the lowest dose (all, P < 0.05).

IMPLICATIONS

The combination of propofol + ketamine 0.4 mg/kg maintained hemodynamic and respiratory stability, as evidenced by less hypotension, bradycardia, and hypoxia events, in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy. China clinical trial registration (chictr.org.cn) ID: ChiCTR-INR-17013710.