title: The use of propofol for procedural sedation and analgesia in the emergency department: a comparison with midazolam.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of propofol as an alternative agent for procedural sedation and analgesia (PSA) in the emergency department (ED) and to make a comparison between two different sedative (propofol vs midazolam) drugs used in combination with fentanyl.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare outcomes between a combination of fentanyl and propofol with fentanyl and midazolam in patients during and after PSA.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomised single blinded control trial carried out in the ED of a university hospital. 40 patients were randomly allocated equally into two groups: group A, 20 subjects received intravenous fentanyl 3 μg/kg as a bolus dose and a titration maximum bolus dose of propofol 1 mg/kg followed by a maximum titration top-up of 0.5 mg/kg if needed; group B, 20 subjects received intravenous fentanyl 3 μg/kg as a bolus dose and a titration maximum bolus dose of midazolam 0.1 mg/kg and a maximum titration top-up of 0.1 mg/kg if needed. The target sedation level was a Ramsay score of 3 or 4. Outcomes included the presence of any adverse events related to PSA and time to discharge. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the patients developed any significant adverse events during and after procedures. The mean length of stay in the propofol and midazolam groups was 29.25 (11.03) and 71.75 (60.64) min, respectively (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both propofol and midazolam given at the recommended doses were equally safe and effective for PSA in the ED. The propofol group was discharged much earlier than to the midazolam group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, USM, Kubang Kerian 16150, Malaysia. nhliza@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Nik H N A
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Rahman
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hashim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000379:methods*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015742:Propofol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016037:Single-Blind Method
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D008874:Midazolam; D005283:Fentanyl; D015742:Propofol