title: The value of flumazenil in the reversal of midazolam-induced sedation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.
abstract: Fifty patients who underwent diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy after midazolam sedation were randomized to receive (after completion of the examination) either the benzodiazepine receptor antagonist flumazenil or an identical-looking placebo. The speed of recovery from sedation was assessed by reaction time testing, measurement of critical flicker fusion frequency, and the semi-quantitative SOCA scoring system. Measurements were made up to 6 h post examination in all subjects, and at 12 and 24 h in all in-patients (n = 20). Flumazenil-treated patients were significantly more alert than those who received placebo at 10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h (P less than 0.001 in all instances). Thereafter the two groups were similar. There was no evidence of recurrence of sedation in flumazenil-treated patients, nor did this drug adversely affect the period of anterograde amnesia between the administration of midazolam and flumazenil.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, UK.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Dunk
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Norton
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hudson
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Dundas
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ashley
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mowat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D005425:Flicker Fusion / Q000187:drug effects; D005442:Flumazenil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011292:Premedication
chemical_list: D005442:Flumazenil; D008874:Midazolam