Intravenous remifentanil and propofol for gastroscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficiency and safety of intravenous (i.v.) remifentanil and propofol for gastroscopy in healthy adults.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blinded study.


METHODS
Endoscopy Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University (Chengdu, People's Republic of China).


METHODS
199 adult ASA physical status I and II patients.


METHODS
Patients were randomly allocated to either the fentanyl group (n = 99) or the remifentanil group (n = 100). Patients received either fentanyl 0.5 microg/kg or remifentanil 0.5 microg/kg, followed by a bolus injection of one mg/kg of propofol. The subsequent doses of propofol were 0.5 mg/kg when the patient was conscious or body movement appeared.


METHODS
Noninvasive blood pressure, heart rate, arterial pulse oxygen saturation, and respiratory rate were recorded before gastroscopy and at two-minute intervals until the end of the gastroscopy procedure. Patients were asked to evaluate their level of cognition using the Digit-Symbol Substitution Test score before gastroscopy and at 10 minutes after discontinuation of the drug injection.


RESULTS
Recovery time was significantly shorter in the remifentanil group than in the fentanyl group (P < 0.05). Postoperative Digit-Symbol Substitution Test scores were significantly higher in the remifentanil group than in the fentanyl group (P < 0.01). Total dosage of propofol given in the remifentanil group was significantly less than it was in the fentanyl group (P < 0.01). Frequency of apnea was significantly higher in the remifentanil group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in frequency of hypoxemia, bag ventilation, or body movement between the two groups (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Intravenous remifentanil and propofol were more efficient for gastroscopy than i.v. fentanyl and propofol.
Xu
Zhi Y
ZY
Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China.
Wang
Xiao
X
Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: gege_0011@hotmail.com.
Si
Yong Y
YY
Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China.
Wu
Jun C
JC
Department of Gastroenterology, Endoscopy Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China.
Zuo
Yun X
YX
Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China.
Xue
Fu S
FS
Department of Anesthesiology, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100041, People's Republic of China.
Liu
Jin
J
Department of Anesthesiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China.