Safety of Painless Gastroscopy in Elderly Patients

Objective: To investigate the safety of Propofol and Midazolam with endoscopic procedures in a cohort of elderly patients.

Methods: During 12 months 108 cases of endoscopy patients >65 years were eligible for propofol and midazolam study. The accumulation dosage of propofol and midazolam, sedative effect, variation of blood pressure and SaO2 and behave in endoscopic procedures were observed in all elderly patients.

Results: Compared with elderly control group, there were no significant representations (nausea, cough, throat discomfort and so on) in elderly sedation group, and there were higher satisfaction with endoscopic procedures in elderly sedation group. The cumulative dosage of propofol and midazolam in elderly sedation group (>65 year) was lower than that in the elderly control group (Arterial hypotension and a short oxygen desaturation occurred transitorily in elderly sedation group, and these changes reconvert momently after the end of endoscopic procedures. Compared with elderly control group, there were no significant uninfluenced behaves, the gastroesophageal reflux, stomach peristalsis, and pylori opening in elderly sedation group.

Conclusions: This present study suggests that combination propofol and midazolam with gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures in elderly patients are safe and well tolerated within careful monitoring.