[Characteristics of deep sedation in gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures performed by intensivists]

Abstract

Objective: To determine tolerance, pain intensity, percentage of tests completed successfully and complications of deep sedation controlled by intensivists during gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.

Design: A one-year, prospective observational study was carried out.

Setting: Department of Intensive Care intervention in the Endoscopy Unit of Hospital Universitario del Tajo (Spain).

Patients: Subjects over 15 years of age subjected to endoscopic procedures under deep sedation.

Results: A total of 868 patients were sedated during the study period, with the conduction of 1010 endoscopic procedures. The degree of tolerance was considered adequate («Very good»/«Good») in 96.9% of the patients (95%CI: 95.7-98.1%), with a median score of 0 on the pain visual analog scale. A total of 988 endoscopic procedures were successfully completed (97.8%; 95%CI: 96.9-98.8%): 675 colonoscopies (97.1%) and 305 endoscopies (99.7%). Complications were recorded in 106 patients (12.2%; 95%CI: 10.0-14.5%). The most frequent being desaturation (6.1%), rhythm disturbances (5.1%) and hypotension (2.4%).

Conclusion: Gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures under sedation controlled by intensivists are well tolerated and satisfactory for the patient, and are successfully completed in a very large percentage of cases. The procedures are associated with frequent minor complications that are resolved successfully.

Keywords: Adverse effects; Colonoscopia; Colonoscopy; Deep sedation; Efectos adversos; Endoscopia; Endoscopy; Gastroenterology; Gastroenterología; Gastroscopia; Gastroscopy; Propofol; Sedación profunda.