title: Conscious sedation for upper digestive endoscopy performed by endoscopists.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Conscious sedation in the ambulatory setting albeit common is not risk-free. The present study aimed at evaluating the blood pressure, heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation in patients submitted to conscious sedation for upper digestive endoscopy performed by endoscopists.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 105 patients of both sexes were selected, aged 18 and older, physical status ASA I to III, submitted to upper digestive endoscopy under conscious sedation. The patients were monitored through noninvasive blood pressure measurements, pulse oximetry and heart rate recorded before, during and after the examination. The sedation was carried out with midazolam or meperidine.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The variations in oxygen saturation, blood pressure and heart rate throughout time were not statistically significant. However, an incidence of hypoxia of 41.9% was observed; 53.3% of the cases presented arterial hypotension and 25.6% presented tachycardia. Obese patients were more prone to hypoxia and hypotension than those non obese.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The occurrence of hypoxia and arterial hypotension is common in upper digestive endoscopic examinations under conscious sedation when midazolam and meperidine are associated. Obese patients demonstrated to be more susceptible to hypoxemia and arterial hypotension.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. laurinhakauling@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Ana Laura Colle
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kauling
authors.forename: Giovani de Figueiredo
authors.initials: Gde F
authors.lastname: Locks
authors.forename: Guilherme Muriano
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Brunharo
authors.forename: Viriato João Leal
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: da Cunha
authors.forename: Maria Cristina Simões
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: de Almeida
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016099:Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D010100:Oxygen