PROPOFOL FOR SEDATION DURING ENDOSCOPY - ASSESSMENT OF A COMPUTER-CONTROLLED INFUSION SYSTEM

Propofol can be used to provide general anesthesia or sedation. Twenty patients scheduled for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were sedated using a computer-controlled system and endoscopy was performed by the same operator. Oxygen saturation reduced significantly (p < 0.001) during the procedure, and remained significantly lower than baseline values at the end of the procedure. Patient assessment of sedation and anxiety using linear analogue scales showed a significant increase in sedation (p < 0.0001) and decrease in anxiety (p < 0.003) compared with baseline values. There were variable positive (p < 0.001) and negative (p < 0.002) changes in blood pressure from baseline values. Overall conditions for endoscopy were good. Computer-controlled delivery of propofol provides satisfactory sedation and conditions for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and merits further investigation.