Patient-controlled sedation using propofol during interventional neuroradiologic procedures

Patient-controlled sedation (PCS) using propofol has been reported to provide safe and effective sedation during a variety of procedures performed under regional or local anesthesia. In a prospective, randomized fashion, this study evaluated propofol PCS compared to anesthesiologist-administered midazolam-fentanyl sedation during interventional neuroradiologic (INR) procedures. Nineteen patients undergoing 24 INR procedures received propofol PCS (PCS dose, 0.5 mg/kg; lockout interval, 3 min) or anesthesiologist-administered midazolam-fentanyl sedation. Study parameters included discomfort, sedation and anxiety visual analogue scores (VAS), cognitive function, patient satisfaction, and complications. No difference was found between the two sedation techniques with respect to the levels of sedation and anxiolysis. Cognitive function was well preserved in both groups. Patient satisfaction was similarly high in both groups. Complications were similar between groups. These included ventilatory depression (two patients in each group) and excessive sedation (two patients in each group). Three patients in the propofol group became excessively restless, resulting in brief interruptions during the respective procedures. Propofol PCS offers a safe sedation technique during INR procedures with a sedation and anxiolysis profile that was not distinguishable from anesthesiologist-administered midazolam-fentanyl sedation.