Improved Sedation in Diagnostic and Therapeutic ERCP: Propofol is an Alternative to Midazolam

Background and Study Aims: Adequate sedation of the patient is required for diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The anesthetic propofol, with its shorter half-life, affording better control, offers an alternative to the benzodiazepine midazolam. The aim of this randomized, controlled, unblinded study was to compare prospectively the quality of sedation under propofol and midazolam in patients undergoing ERCP. Patients and Methods: A total of 80 patients were randomized to sedation with propofol alone (n=40) or midazolam alone (n = 40). Blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen saturation were measured. Midazolam was given by the endoscopist and titrated…