Combined sedation with midazolam/propofol for gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients.
BACKGROUND
Although gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation is increasingly performed in elderly patients, data on combined sedation with midazolam/propofol are very limited for this age group.


METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed 454 endoscopic procedures in 347 hospitalized patients >or= 70 years who had received combined sedation with midazolam/propofol. 513 endoscopic procedures in 397 hospitalized patients < 70 years during the observation period served as controls. Characteristics of endoscopic procedures, co-morbidity, complications and mortality were compared.


RESULTS
Elderly patients had a higher level of co-morbidity and needed lower mean propofol doses for sedation. We observed no major complication and no difference in the number of minor complications. The procedure-associated mortality was 0%; the 28-day mortality was significantly higher in the elderly (2.9% vs. 1.0%).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study on elderly patients with high level co-morbidity, a favourable safety profile was observed for a combined sedation with midazolam/propofol with a higher sensitivity to propofol in the elderly.
Kerker
Astrid
A
Department of Medicine, Gemeinschaftskrankenhaus Bonn, Bonner Talweg 4-6, D-53113 Bonn, Germany.
Hardt
Christian
C
Schlief
Hans-Eugen
HE
Dumoulin
Franz Ludwig
FL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam; D005283:Fentanyl; D015742:Propofol