CONSCIOUS SEDATION FOR INTERVENTIONAL NEURORADIOLOGY - A COMPARISON OF MIDAZOLAM AND PROPOFOL INFUSION

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare two conscious sedation t echniques, midazolam (M) and propofol (P), for interventional neurorad iology by assessment of the incidence of complications and satisfactio n scores. Methods: Forty patients were randomized to receive 0.75 mu g . kg(-1) fentanyl and a M or P bolus followed by an infusion; (M 15 m u g . kg(-1) + 0.5 mu g . kg(-1). min(-1); P 0.5 mg . kg(-1) + 25 mu g . kg(-1) min(-1)). The incidences of complications and untoward event s requiring intervention were documented. These included respiratory d epression, excessive pain, inappropriate movements and the inability t o examine the patient. The satisfaction of the anaesthetic technique f rom the perspective of both the neuroradiologist and the patient was s cored. Results: The incidence and types of complications were not diff erent between the two groups. Pain occurred in 12 patients (6M, 6P), i nappropriate movements in 17 (7M, 10F) and respiratory changes in 10 p atients (2M, 8P). Conclusions: Both techniques were satisfactory and t he incidence of complications was similar for both groups.