Sedation in colonoscopy: use of propofol in a comparative study of three different administration methods

The use of propofol sedation for colonoscopies and other endoscopic procedures is increasing due to the rapid onset of effect and short recovery time with few residual effects, which makes it an ideal anesthetic for usingin outpatient medical procedures. Its pharmacological profile places it as a suitable anesthetic to continuous or titred intravenous administration, providing increased control in its plasma levels. Due to its high liposolubility, propofol diffuses rapidly to the central nervous system and other tissues where it shall perform its clinical effects, closely related to plasma concentration, and providing sedation at different levels, as much as the unwanted depressant effects of the cardiovascular and respiratory system, it may lead to a significant reduction in cardiac output and blood pressure and also a central regulatory breathing system depression, that can result in significant apnea or hypoventilation. This study aimed to evaluate clinically and serum, propofol in three different regimens of intravenous infusion. 50 patients submitted to colonoscopy in the endoscopy centers at Hospital Ana Costa (Santos - SP), and Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (São Paulo-SP), have been randomly assessed. Such patients were divided into three groups, according to the sedation scheme that was used for them. Group 1 received fentanyl at first, then a one milligram per kilogram propofol dose, at induction, in a minute, later they received intermittent infusion of propofol in fractionated doses of 30 mg (Bolus) according to clinical needs during the test. Group 2 received fentanyl in the beginning, a starting dose of propofol 1 mg/kg at induction in one minute, after that received propofol in a 0.2% solution diluted in 5% glucose solution at an initial 1 drop/kg of patient weight dose, equivalent to about one 100 u100/min, manually controlled and changed according to clinical need of the...