title: Safety of continuous propofol sedation for endoscopic procedures in elderly patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to evaluate safety of continuous propofol sedation in elderly patients who undergo endoscopic procedures and investigate risk factors to develop complications in the geriatric population.
  
  
  METHODS
  patients who received endoscopist-directed propofol sedation were classified into two groups according to age. Group I: > 80 years; Group II: < 80 years. Propofol was administered by continuous intravenous infusion to achieve deep sedation. Arterial oxygen saturation, heart rate, blood pressure, and electrocardiographic records were monitored during the procedure. Therapy and complications secondary to sedation were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  one thousand two-hundred and ninety-five endoscopic procedures (gastroscopies, colonoscopies and endoscopic ultrasonographies) were included. The dose of propofol was lower and therapy was more frequently performed in Group I. There were no differences between sedation-related complications in both groups (Group I: 15.4%, Group II: 14%; p:n.s.). Patients in Group I showed greater tendency to develop severe oxygen desaturation in the colonoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography procedures. In the univariate analysis, a higher dose of propofol was associated with the appearance of complications (157.4 ± 84.4 vs 121.3 ± 89.6 mg) in elderly patients but it was not associated with severe oxygen desaturation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  continuous propofol sedation during endoscopic procedures in elderly patients > 80 years is as safe as in younger patients.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Endoscopia Digestiva, Hospital General Universitario Alicante, Spain. martinez_juasem@gva.es
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Martínez
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Aparicio
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Compañy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ruiz
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gómez-Escolar
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mozas
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Casellas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003113:Colonoscopy; D016292:Procedural Sedation; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019160:Endosonography; D005260:Female; D005773:Gastroscopy; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects*; D007022:Hypotension / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D015742:Propofol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012449:Safety; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D010100:Oxygen; D015742:Propofol