Procedural sedation and obesity: waters left uncharted.
BACKGROUND
Moderate sedation during endoscopy may pose increased risks among obese patients.


OBJECTIVE
To review the literature that considers aspects of sedation within the obese population and to identify gaps in our knowledge.


METHODS
Literature-based review.


RESULTS
There may be increased risks among obese patients undergoing moderate sedation. In particular, the presence of obstructive sleep apnea may identify a subset of patients at higher risk for complications.


CONCLUSIONS
English language literature only.


CONCLUSIONS
Although obesity may be associated with increased risks of procedural sedation, future studies should better clarify such risks to better inform clinical decision making.
Vargo
John J
JJ
Section of Therapeutic Endoscopy, Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Institute, and Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio 44195, USA.
D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012891:Sleep Apnea Syndromes / Q000209:etiology