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 less than 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 less than 0.00001) and decrease in anxiety (p less than 0.003) compared with baseline values. There were variable positive (p less than 0.001) and negative (p less than 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.