Comparison of the Cardiovascular Response to Sedation with Dexmedetomidine, Midazolam, and Etomidate in Phacoemulsification under Local Topical Anesthesia; A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Abstract

The present study aimed to compare the cardiovascular response to sedation with dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and etomidate during phacoemulsification under local Topical anesthesia. In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, a total of 90 cataract surgery candidates undergoing phacoemulsification were selected and divided into three groups. The first group received 1 µg/kg dexmedetomidine over 10 minutes, followed by an infusion of dexmedetomidine at a rate of 0.5 µg/kg/h. The second group received 0.05 mg/kg midazolam, and the third group received 0.2 mg/kg slow IV etomidate. Hemodynamic parameters, sedation level, and adverse effects were recorded before anesthesia, during surgery, and during recovery. The results of this study showed that in the 10th minute of surgery, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) in the etomidate group was significantly higher than the other groups P value = 0.029). The pulse rate (PR) in the etomidate group at the 15th minute during surgery, 10th, 20th, and 30th minute in the recovery period (mean 70.33 ± 10.34 bpm, 72.10 ± 10.18 bpm, 73.70 ± 10.18 bpm, and 75.03 ± 6.73 bpm, respectively) was significantly higher than the other two groups (P value < 0.05). No adverse effects such as dizziness, restlessness, vomiting, or nausea were observed in the midazolam group. However, decreased heart rate was significantly higher in the dexmedetomidine group (26.7%) compared to the etomidate (3.3%) and midazolam (6.7%) groups (P value = 0.021). According to the results of this study, the sedation level achieved by dexmedetomidine, midazolam, and etomidate was similar. However, etomidate seemed to have a better effect on maintaining blood pressure and pulse rate compared to the other two drugs.