[Intravenous sedation for gastroscopy: comparison between midazolam and diazepam]

Benzodiazepines are often used as premedication or intravenous sedative agents for endoscopies. The present study included 74 patients. It compared the sedative and amnestic properties of midazolam and diazepam, their relative potencies as well as the comfort of both the patient and the endoscopist during gastroscopy. The comparison has shown some statistically significant differences, allowing the following conclusions: amnesia was more frequent with midazolam; the dose requirement (in mg X kg-1) for adequate sedation was more important with diazepam, confirming the greater potency of midazolam; generally speaking, sedation was excellent with both drugs.