Effects of Different Doses of Esketamine Combined with Propofol on Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Elderly Patients

Propofol may result in hypotension, bradycardia and loss of protective reflexes, especially in elderly patients, while esketamine, a N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, has analgesic, anaesthetic and sympathomimetic properties and is known to cause less cardiorespiratory depression. We hypothesized that esketamine may reduce the median effective concentration (EC50 ) of propofol and coadministration is less likely to produce hypotension during gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients. Ninety elderly patients, aged 65-89 years, undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy were randomly assigned into 3 groups: SK0 (control) group (0 mg/kg esketamine); SK0.25 group (0.25 mg/kg esketamine); and SK0.5 group (0.5 mg/kg esketamine). Anaesthesia was achieved by plasma target-controlled infusion of propofol with different bolus doses of esketamine. The EC50 of propofol for gastrointestinal endoscopy was determined by using the up-and-down method of Dixon. The initial plasma target concentration is 2.5 μg/mL and the adjacent concentration gradient is 0.5 μg/mL. Cardiovascular variables were also measured. Propofol EC50 s and its 95% confidence interval for gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients were 3.69 (2.59-4.78), 2.45 (1.85-3.05) and 1.71 (1.15-2.27) μg/mL in the SK0, SK0.25 and SK0.5 groups, respectively (P < .05). The average percent change from baseline mean arterial pressure was -19.7 (7.55), -15.2 (7.14) and -10.1 (6.73), in the SK0, SK0.25 and SK0.5 groups, respectively (P < .001). Combination medication of propofol with esketamine reduced the propofol EC50 during gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients compared with administration of propofol without esketamine. Increasing doses of SK with propofol are less likely to produce hypotension with shorter recovery time.

Objective: To analyze the therapeutic effect of high-frequency electrosurgical knife surgery guided by painless digestive endoscopy (PDE) in elderly patients with gastrointestinal polyps (GP). Methods: A total of 100 elderly GP patients admitted between June 2021 and December 2022 were selected. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: the painless group (50 cases) underwent high-frequency electrosurgical knife surgery guided by PDE, while the conventional group (50 cases) underwent the same surgery guided by traditional digestive endoscopy (DE). The total treatment efficacy, perioperative indicators, gastrointestinal hormone levels, oxidative stress (OS) markers, and complication rates were compared between the two groups. Results: The total treatment efficacy in the painless group was higher than that in the conventional group, and perioperative indicators were superior in the painless group (P &lt; 0.05). One week after treatment, the gastrointestinal hormone levels and OS-related markers in the painless group were better than those in the conventional group (P &lt; 0.05). The complication rate in the painless group was lower than in the conventional group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: High-frequency electrosurgical knife surgery guided by PDE improves the effectiveness of polyp removal in elderly GP patients and accelerates postoperative recovery. It also protects gastrointestinal function, reduces postoperative OS, and ensures higher surgical safety.

Gastrointestinal endoscopy in the elderly: Current issues

BackgroundRemimazolam tosilate (HR7056, RT), a novel ultrashort-acting benzodiazepine, can be used for procedural sedation and general anaesthesia. However, few studies have focused on the sedative effect of RT during gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients. The purpose of this study is to compare the sedative effect of RT and propofol for gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients.MethodsA total of 82 patients aged ≥65 years with an American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade I-II and a body mass index (BMI) of 18.0 to 30.0 kg/m2 who were scheduled for gastrointestinal endoscopy from Jan 2021 to Aug 2021 were selected and randomly divided into a RT group and a propofol group. Alfentanil 5 μg/kg was used for analgesia in both groups. The RT group was given remimazolam tosilate 0.15 mg/kg with supplemental doses of 0.05 mg/kg as need, while the propofol group was given propofol 1.5 mg/kg with supplemental doses of 0.5 mg/kg. The supplemental doses were determined by the modified observational alertness/sedation assessment (MOAA/S) score and the patients’ body movements. Sedative effects, such as the time to loss of consciousness (LOC) (MOAA/S score ≤ 1), successful sedation in one dose, number of supplemental doses after successful induction, and recovery time, were evaluated. Sedation-related side effects, such as injection pain, haemodynamic events and respiratory depression, were also noted. Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at rest, remedial analgesics, and dizziness or headache were recorded. In addition, patients’ satisfaction and physician’s satisfaction of the procedure were compared between the two groups.ResultsData from 77 patients were analysed. The success rate of sedation in both groups was 100%. The time to LOC (MOAA/S score ≤ 1) in the RT group was longer than that in the propofol group (20.7 ± 6.1s vs. 13.2 ± 5.2s, P < 0.001). There were fewer patients in the RT group reporting injection pain than that in the propofol group (0/39 vs. 5/38, P = 0.025). Haemodynamic events and respiratory depression in the RT group were less frequent than those in the propofol group ((6/39 vs. 17/38, P = 0.005), (2/39 vs. 9/38, P = 0.026), respectively). The number of supplemental doses after successful induction in the RT group was greater than that in the propofol group (4/9/11/13/1/1 vs. 8/4/18/6/2/0 requiring 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 supplemental doses, P = 0.014). The characteristics of the patients enrolled, postoperative parameters of the patients, and patients’ and physician’s satisfaction of the procedure were comparable in the two groups.ConclusionsCompared with propofol, RT can be safely and effectively used for gastrointestinal endoscopy sedation in elderly patients, and the incidence of sedation-related adverse reactions, especially haemodynamic events and respiratory depression, is lower. When RT is used, the number of supplemental doses after successful induction may increase slightly.Trial registrationChictr.org.cn ChiCTR2000040498. Retrospectively registered (date of registration: December 1, 2020).

Background/AimsThe global trend of an expanding aged population has increased concerns about complications correlated with gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy in elderly patients; however, there have been few reports published on this issue.MethodsIn this retrospective, observational cohort study performed between 2012 and 2017, serious complications of esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, and colonoscopic polypectomy were compared between patients according to age (≥65 years vs 18–64 years). We used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment-National Patient Samples database, previously converted to the standardized Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership-Common Data Model. Serious complications within 30 days of the procedure included both GI complications (bleeding and perforation) and non-GI complications (cerebrovascular accident [CVA], acute myocardial infarction [AMI], congestive heart failure [CHF], and death).ResultsA total of 387,647 patients who underwent EGD, 241,094 who underwent colonoscopy, and 89,059 who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy were assessed as part of this investigation. During the study period, endoscopic procedures in the older group steadily increased in number in all endoscopy groups (all p<0.001). Further, pooled complication rates of bleeding, CVA, AMI, CHF, and death were approximately three times higher among older patients who underwent EGD or colonoscopy. Moreover, pooled complication rates of CVA, AMI, CHF, and death were approximately 2.2 to 5.0 times higher among older patients who underwent colonoscopic polypectomy.ConclusionsElderly patients experienced approximately three times more GI and non-GI complications after EGD or colonoscopy than young patients. Physicians should pay attention to the potential risks of GI endoscopy in elderly patients.

Background: Remimazolam tosilate is a new ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine sedative medicine. In this study, we evaluated the effect of remimazolam tosilate on the incidence of hypoxemia during sedation in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy.Methods: Patients in the remimazolam group received an initial dose of 0.1 mg/kg and a bolus dose of 2.5 mg of remimazolam tosilate, whereas patients in the propofol group received an initial dose of 1.5 mg/kg and a bolus dose of 0.5 mg/kg of propofol. Patients received ASA standard monitoring (heart-rate, non-invasive blood pressure, and pulse oxygen saturation) during the entire examination process. The primary outcome was the incidence of moderate hypoxemia (defined as 85%≤ SpO2< 90%, >15s) during the gastrointestinal endoscopy. The secondary outcomes included the incidence of mild hypoxemia (defined as SpO2 90%–94%) and severe hypoxemia (defined as SpO2< 85%, >15s), the lowest pulse oxygen saturation, airway maneuvers used to correct hypoxemia, patient’s hemodynamic as well as other adverse events.Results: 107 elderly patients (67.6 ± 5.7 years old) in the remimazolam group and 109 elderly patients (67.5 ± 4.9 years old) in the propofol group were analyzed. The incidence of moderate hypoxemia was 2.8% in the remimazolam group and 17.4% in the propofol group (relative risk [RR] = 0.161; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.049 to 0.528; p < 0.001). The frequency of mild hypoxemia was less in the remimazolam group, but not statistically significant (9.3% vs. 14.7%; RR = 0.637; 95% CI, 0.303 to 1.339; p = 0.228). There was no significant difference in the incidence of severe hypoxemia between the two groups (4.7% vs. 5.5%; RR = 0.849; 95% CI, 0.267 to 2.698; p = 0.781). The median lowest SpO2 during the examination was 98% (IQR, 96.0%–99.0%) in patients in the remimazolam group, which was significantly higher than in patients in the propofol group (96%, IQR, 92.0%–99.0%, p < 0.001). Patients in the remimazolam group received more drug supplementation during endoscopy than patients in the propofol group (p = 0.014). There was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of hypotension between the two groups (2.8% vs. 12.8%; RR = 0.218; 95% CI, 0.065 to 0.738; p = 0.006). No significant differences were found in the incidence of adverse events such as nausea and vomiting, dizziness, and prolonged sedation.Conclusion: This study explored the safety of remimazolam compared with propofol during gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients. Despite the increased supplemental doses during sedation, remimazolam improved risk of moderate hypoxemia (i.e., 85%≤ SpO2 < 90%) and hypotension in elderly patients.

Fospropofol disodium is a novel prodrug that has improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties when compared with propofol. This trial aims to compare the efficacy and safety of fospropofol versus propofol sedation for same-day bidirectional endoscopy in elderly patients. This is a prospective, single-center, double-blind, randomized, propofol-controlled, non-inferiority trial. A total of 256 patients aged 65years or older, who are scheduled for same-day bidirectional endoscopy under sedation, will be randomly allocated, in a 1:1 ratio, to either fospropofol group or propofol group (n = 128 in each group). All patients will receive analgesic pre-treatment with sufentanil 5μg. Two minutes later, an initial bolus dose of fospropofol 6.5mg/kg or 1.5mg/kg propofol and supplemental doses of fospropofol 1.6mg/kg or 0.5mg/kg propofol will be titrated as needed to achieve target sedation levels during the procedures. The primary outcome is the success rate of same-day bidirectional endoscopy. Secondary outcomes include the time to successful induction of sedation, duration, time to being fully alert, time to patient discharge, endoscopist satisfaction, patient satisfaction, and the top-up frequency and dosage of sedative medications. The safety endpoints consist of adverse events concerning cough reflex, gag reflexes, body movement, muscular tremor, and pain on injection. Sedation-related AEs, including episodes of desaturation, severe desaturation (SpO2 < 90%), hypotension, severe hypotension (decrease in MBP ≥30% of baseline), and bradycardia, will also be recorded. Data will be analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. We hypothesize that the efficacy and safety of fospropofol sedation for elderly patients undergoing same-visit bidirectional endoscopy will not be inferior to that of propofol. Our findings will potentially provide a new sedation regimen for same-visit bidirectional endoscopy in elderly patients. clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT02875639.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Sufentanil, Dexmedetomidine, or Ketamine Added to Propofol-based Sedation for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy in Elderly Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial

Ciprofol is a new sedative anesthetic drug that can be used for gastrointestinal endoscopy and induction of general anesthesia, but the appropriate dosage for use in elderly patients has not been determined. Sufentanil is a commonly used opioid in clinical practice, and this study was designed to induce anesthesia in elderly patients using sufentanil in combination with ciprofol. However, the optimal dosage of ciprofol when it is co-administered with sufentanil has not yet been established. This study was designed to find the median effective dose (ED50) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of ciprofol for intravenous anesthesia when combined with sufentanil. We studied 57 patients who were scheduled to undergo a diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. According to age, it was divided into two groups: 65∼74 years old (group A) and over 75 years old (group B). Using the modified Dixon sequence test method, intravenous bolus of 0.1μg/kg sufentanil was given 3 min before ciprofol is administered, the initial dose of ciprofol was 0.4mg/kg, the upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was placed after reaching the depth of sedation, and vital signs and adverse events were recorded at each perioperative time point (T0-T7). In the group A, when combined with 0.1 μg/kg sufentanil, the ED50 of ciprofol to inhibiting responses to insertion of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was 0.23mg/kg, and the 95% CI was 0.09∼0.30mg/kg; in the group B, the ED50 was 0.18mg/kg, and the 95% CI was 0.13∼0.22mg/kg. The ED50 of ciprofol in combination with sufentanil (0.1μg/kg) for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in elderly patients: 0.23mg/kg in group A and 0.18mg/kg in group B.

Background: Remimazolam is a good option for anesthesia in elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy procedures because of its rapid onset, short metabolic duration, and extensively documented safety profile. However, the accurate clinical dosage of these agents has yet to be determined. The objective of this research was to examine the efficacy of the 90% effective dose (ED90) of remimazolam in suppressing the responses of elderly patients during the insertion phase of upper GI endoscopy.Methods: We enrolled 53 individuals aged 65– 85 years who underwent upper GI endoscopy and were anesthetized with an intravenous bolus of remimazolam. After initiating an initial dose of 0.35 mg/kg remimazolam, subsequent adjustments were made on the basis of the patient’s response, employing an up‐and‐down sequential allocation using a biased coin design. The primary outcome was the ED90 of the remimazolam infusion for inhibiting the response to upper GI endoscope insertion. Adverse reactions during the perioperative period were observed and recorded.Results: The ED90 of remimazolam for upper GI endoscope insertion in elderly patients was 0.400 mg/kg (95% CI = 0.348–0.524). Stable circulation was maintained in all patients, and no serious adverse events were observed during sedation. Satisfaction levels were high among the participants: Patients reported a satisfaction score of 4.98 ± 0.14 points, anesthesiologists rated their satisfaction at 4.91 ± 0.35 points, and endoscopists expressed a satisfaction level of 4.89 ± 0.38 points (based on a total score of 5 points, with a minimum of 1 point).Conclusion: Administration of remimazolam for upper GI endoscopy in elderly patients was found to be both safe and effective. A single intravenous bolus at an ED90 dose of 0.556 mg/kg effectively suppressed the response to the procedure.Trial Registration: Chinese Registry of Clinical Trials: ChiCTR2200062535

BackgroundAlthough gastrointestinal endoscopy with sedation is increasingly performed in elderly patients, data on combined sedation with midazolam/propofol are very limited for this age group.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed 454 endoscopic procedures in 347 hospitalized patients ≥ 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.ResultsElderly 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%).ConclusionsIn 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.

Introduction: Hearing impairment is highly prevalent worldwide, and the proportion of preterm infants with severe or worse is as high as 50%. At present, there is a lack of effective prevention preventive measures and drug treatments for hearing impairment. The objective of this study was to explore the effects of different doses of antenatal betamethasone alone or in combination with magnesium sulfate exposure on hearing in preterm infants. And provides a reference for hearing prevention in preterm infants. Methods This was a retrospective case‒control study of preterm infants who diagnosed hearing loss. According to the principles of “similar gestational age (± 7 days)” and “diagnosis of sepsis”, each infant with hearing loss was matched 4 infants with normal hearing (control group). Multivariate conditional logistic regression was used to analyze the effect of antenatal betamethasone and magnesium sulfate treatment on hearing in preterm infants. Results In total, 72 preterm infants were diagnosed with hearing loss. The results of multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis of the effects of different betamethasone doses on hearing in preterm infants (Model 1) showed that the risk of hearing loss was 0.29 times lower in preterm infants who received 2 doses of betamethasone than without use. There was no significant difference in the risk of hearing loss between preterm infants who received 1 dose or &gt; 2 doses (P &gt; 0.05). The results of multivariate conditional logistic regression analysis of the effects of different doses of antenatal betamethasone alone or combined with magnesium sulfate on hearing in preterm infants (Model 2) showed that the risk of hearing loss in preterm infants treated with 2 doses of betamethasone combined with magnesium sulfate was 0.21 times lower than without use. The risk of hearing loss was 4.46 times greater in preterm infants treated with &gt; 2 doses of betamethasone combined with magnesium sulfate than without use. Moreover, there was no significant difference in the effect of other medication doses on the hearing outcome of preterm infants (P &gt; 0.05). Conclusions The effect of antenatal betamethasone treatment on the hearing of preterm infants is related to medication doses and the usage of magnesium sulfate.

Objective. To explore the effect of different doses of propofol and nerve block combined with general anesthesia on the intraoperative anesthesia and postoperative awakening and cognitive function in elder patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods. According to the inclusion criteria for research object, we selected 98 elderly patients with knee OA who needed surgery and were admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 for the study. Patients were divided into the low dose group (given 2 mg/kg propofol by pumping under constant speed during surgery) and the high dose group (given 4 mg/kg propofol by pumping during surgery) by the number table method to compare their indicators including the intraoperative anesthesia effect, with 49 cases in each group. Results. No between-group difference was shown in the anesthesia time and postoperative VAS scores, but the awakening time of the low dose group was significantly shorter than that of the high dose group (P&lt;0.05); the differences in heart rate (HR) values at various time points between the two groups were not obvious, but the high dose group obtained significantly higher HR values at T4 than the low dose group; the mean arterial pressure (MAP) values of both groups were significantly reduced at Ti and then returned to the level before anesthesia (P&gt;0.05); the bispectral index scores (BIS) of both groups experienced a marked drop at Ti and then recovered gradually, but failed to return to the level at T0 till the end, and a between-group difference in BIS indexes presented at Ti; the plasma corticosterone (CORT) concentration at Ti of both groups were significantly lowered and then returned to the level at T0, with no between-group difference; and compared with the low dose group, the high dose group achieved slightly lower mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores at 24-72 h after surgery, with no significant difference between them (P&gt;0.05). Conclusion. The therapy of different doses of propofol and nerve block combined with general anesthesia has no significant effect on the cognitive function in elderly knee OA patients after surgery. With the nerve block improving the analgesic effect, a low dose of propofol is good for the postoperative awakening of patients. Different doses of propofol inhibited the stress response to a different degree and produced good anesthesia outcomes in elderly patients, but comparatively speaking, a low-dose propofol ensures more smooth indexes and less effect on the intraoperative hemodynamics.

AIM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of emergency endoscopy in elderly patients with acute cholangitis(AC).METHODS:Clinical data for 148 elderly patients with acute cholangitis who underwent emergency endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP) from March2013 to July 2014 at Tianjin Nankai Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.RESULTS:Of the 148 cases,141 underwent successful emergency endoscopy,of whom 65 had stone removal in the first session,and 74 had significant relief of clinical symptoms after endoscopic nasobiliary drainage(ENBD).Two patients died.Of the 141 case who underwent successful ERCP,7 developed bleeding,and 2developed pancreatitis after ERCP.CONCLUSION:Emergency endoscopy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of elderly patients with acute cholangitis.In experienced digestive endoscopy centers,emergency endoscopy can be used as a preferred treatment for elderly patients with acute cholangitis.

Background/AimsPropofol sedation for elderly patients during time-consuming endoscopic procedures is controversial. Therefore, we investigated the safety of using propofol in elderly patients during upper gastrointestinal therapeutic endoscopy.MethodsThe medical records of 160 patients who underwent therapeutic endoscopic procedures under gastroenterologist-guided propofol sedation at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into two groups: a younger group, patients <75 years old; and an elderly group, patients ≥75 years old. The two groups were compared with respect to the therapeutic regimen, circulatory dynamics, and presence/absence of discontinuation of propofol treatment.ResultsAlthough the number of patients with liver dysfunction was higher in the elderly group, there were no other significant differences in the baseline characteristics, including the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, between the elderly and younger groups. The average maintenance rate of continuous propofol infusion was lower in the elderly patients. No statistically significant differences were found in the occurrence of adverse events between the elderly and younger groups. None of the patients returned to a resedated state after the initial recovery from sedation.ConclusionsGastroenterologist-guided propofol sedation in elderly patients can be safely achieved in the same manner as that in younger patients, even for time-consuming upper gastrointestinal therapeutic endoscopic procedures.