Intermittent Boluses Versus Continuous Infusion of Propofol During Standard Upper Endoscopy

Patients of both genders, aged between 18 and 85 years old and referred to standard upper endoscopy at Luzmila Hospital will be included in the study. Patients who are pregnant, have known allergies to the drugs used or a history of sedation-related complications (i.e., severe paradoxical response, hypoxemia, bradycardia, and hypotension) or gastrectomy, are American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) class ≥ IV (11), or are unable to provide informed consent will be excluded from participating in the study. The patients undergoing a standard upper endoscopy will be randomly assigned to either continuous infusion (CI group) of propofol (Diprivan) with induction using benzodiazepine (2 mg Dormicum i.v.) or only intermittent bolus injection (BI group) of propofol (Diprivan) infused by an anesthesiologist. BI was defined by intermittent use of 20 mg propofol (Diprivan) boluses on demand, with a minimum period of 30 seconds between boluses to evaluate the effect of the drug. CI was defined by continuous propofol (Diprivan) infusion at a 3 mg/ kg/h rate.

The anesthesiologist will follow up the patient during the first observation period, the average time spent in the recovery area and register the requied data during the procedure using Aldrete score (a post anesthesia recovery score where a minimum score of 8 is required for discharge).

The patients' identities will be coded and the data will be kept confidential. The study protocol will be performed according to the Decalrations of Helsinki and will be applied for approval by the Institutional Review Board at Al-Balqa Applied University. Written informed consent was obtained from all patients.