Determining the 90% Effective Dose of Remimazolam to Prevent Physical Movement in Surgical Abortions: A Biased-Coin Up-and-Down Sequential Allocation Trial.

BACKGROUND

Remimazolam is widely employed in surgical abortions. However, its dosing references from clinical studies such as gastrointestinal and bronchoscopic anesthesia have resulted in high incidence of physical movement.

PURPOSE

Determining the optimal dosage (the 90% effective dose [ED90]) for preventing physical movement during surgical abortions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty-seven individuals aged 18 to 45 undergoing surgical abortion were included. Remimazolam, combined with remifentanil, was utilized for anesthesia induction. Commencing at an initial dose of 0.25 mg/kg of remimazolam, subsequent adjustments relied on the preceding patient's response, employing an up-down sequential allocation utilizing a biased-coin design.

RESULTS

Patients received remimazolam doses ranging from 0.25 to 0.65 mg/kg. The estimated ED90, along with its 95% confidence interval (CI), for preventing physical movement was 0.615 mg/kg (0.398-0.629 mg/kg). Patients maintained stable circulation, and no significant adverse events were recorded. Patients reported a satisfaction score of 4.63 ± 0.62 points. Anesthesiologists rated their satisfaction at 4.19 ± 0.61 points, and endoscopists expressed a satisfaction level of 4.53 ± 0.57 points (based on a full score of 5 points, with a minimum of 1 point).

CONCLUSION

The ED90 of remimazolam during surgical abortion to prevent physical movement was determined to be 0.615 mg/kg (95% CI, 0.398-0.629 mg/kg).